Haha! “deep secret illustrator energy”! I always assume everyone else is pretty confident with their sketchbooks, so good to hear others find these kind of tips useful too
So sorry I missed your question Courtney! When using ink you can use a bit of bleach to remove areas. Be really careful though, it's terrible for your paintbrushes, don't inhale it and don't get it on your skin, clothes or anywhere else! I put some in a tiny glass pot and dipped into it with a cotton bud (Q tip if you're American) and used that to paint so I wouldn't damage my brush!
I'm glad it was helpful Sandy! Keeping materials simple (I find) does take some stress out as there's no extra kerfuffle trying to find the right pen or accidentally spilling my pencil case all over the pavement!
Oh my! Sketching at a heavy metal show sounds perfect!! No one would pay any attention at all, and you must get so much life and energy into your drawings. I’m itching to go and draw at some live music now!
Great advices Nanette, I am a true introvert...only ventured to draw in cafes and in the car yet :D but will try it more this year and will remember your tips!
Hi Teresa, I'm a true introvert as well! It took me a while to move from drawing in the car to drawing in cafes so you are doing very well! Hope the tips help, once you're used to it it's a nice feeling to draw wherever you like
I love all of these tips! Airports, book readings, and parks are some of my favorite places to draw from life. I'd also add that drawing with friends from life is like a huge weight lifted on your shoulders in terms of confidence. Power in numbers!
Thanks Carolyn! Airports are a great idea, all those people waiting around are perfect for drawing. You’re so right about drawing with friends too it takes all the worry away
This is great advice, especially the bit about drawing in a busy place, hiding in plain sight! Also, thank you so much for writing a recommendation for my substack. I really appreciate it. 😍
These are great tips! I find people absorbed in their phones are the perfect distracted models, and wearing a big pair of headphones (even if you're not listening to anything) is a great "don't talk to me" signal.
Thank you Louise! Headphones is a good idea, I never seem to take them with me. I agree about drawing people on their phones, especially if they’re waiting in a queue - ideal models!
These tips really hit - strong agree! The micro-notebook you have is brilliant and such deep secret illustrator energy LOL, I love it.
Haha! “deep secret illustrator energy”! I always assume everyone else is pretty confident with their sketchbooks, so good to hear others find these kind of tips useful too
I want to know more about this bleach method!!
So sorry I missed your question Courtney! When using ink you can use a bit of bleach to remove areas. Be really careful though, it's terrible for your paintbrushes, don't inhale it and don't get it on your skin, clothes or anywhere else! I put some in a tiny glass pot and dipped into it with a cotton bud (Q tip if you're American) and used that to paint so I wouldn't damage my brush!
When I was in art school in NYC I’d draw people on the subway.
But I’d never dare try that nowadays.
Sitting on a bench in a park is much better.
Park benches are great for drawing! Combining it with wearing sunglasses would be good too, because no one will know where you’re looking 🕶️
Brilliant post, I am inspired by Tip No 2! Thank you for sharing :)
I'm glad it was helpful Sandy! Keeping materials simple (I find) does take some stress out as there's no extra kerfuffle trying to find the right pen or accidentally spilling my pencil case all over the pavement!
Excellent advice! I love to sketch at my husband’s heavy metal shows. It’s usually dark and the energy is outstanding!
Oh my! Sketching at a heavy metal show sounds perfect!! No one would pay any attention at all, and you must get so much life and energy into your drawings. I’m itching to go and draw at some live music now!
Beautiful sketches Nanette. Very inspiring.
Thank you so much Polly!
Great advices Nanette, I am a true introvert...only ventured to draw in cafes and in the car yet :D but will try it more this year and will remember your tips!
Hi Teresa, I'm a true introvert as well! It took me a while to move from drawing in the car to drawing in cafes so you are doing very well! Hope the tips help, once you're used to it it's a nice feeling to draw wherever you like
I love all of these tips! Airports, book readings, and parks are some of my favorite places to draw from life. I'd also add that drawing with friends from life is like a huge weight lifted on your shoulders in terms of confidence. Power in numbers!
Thanks Carolyn! Airports are a great idea, all those people waiting around are perfect for drawing. You’re so right about drawing with friends too it takes all the worry away
This is great advice, especially the bit about drawing in a busy place, hiding in plain sight! Also, thank you so much for writing a recommendation for my substack. I really appreciate it. 😍
Thank YOU Helen! For your newsletter, Instagram posts, Art Club and Good Ship courses and all of your books
These are great tips! I find people absorbed in their phones are the perfect distracted models, and wearing a big pair of headphones (even if you're not listening to anything) is a great "don't talk to me" signal.
Thank you Louise! Headphones is a good idea, I never seem to take them with me. I agree about drawing people on their phones, especially if they’re waiting in a queue - ideal models!
🤣 that’s such a high pressure question to spring on someone while they’re drawing! I would have completely panicked!