Women alone in sketchbooks

A very unpolished peek at my observational drawing

Have you ever noticed yourself drawing the same thing over and over again?

I don’t mean for projects when you have to draw the same thing lots of times. I mean when you’re free to draw whatever you want and your eyes always end up on the same things?

What are those subjects you draw again and again?

Maybe you haven’t noticed yourself doing it?

I hadn’t noticed until recently that so many of my observational drawings are of the exact same subject: women sitting by themselves, they are mostly older than me and always with a tea or equivalent.

(Completely unvarnished drawings from life coming up - go easy on me)

Woman alone with teapot and cup

I don’t know why I love them but I do know these women are wonderful to draw.

They might be alone but they don’t feel lonely to me. I like how self-contained they are.

Woman alone with two cups

It would be sensible to follow this thread and draw the same subject matter over and over on purpose. Dedicate a whole sketchbook to it and see where it takes me…

But as soon as I label a sketchbook for something specific I instantly refuse to use it for it’s designated purpose and fill it with something else!

Two women, not alone. But with cups.

It’s ok to not force something. And it’s interesting to see the same threads pop up again and again.

Women alone with phones and cups.

What themes have you noticed appearing in your sketchbooks? Do you know why you love that particular subject? Let’s share!

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Thank you so much for being here!

I have a quick question for you: I’d love to know if you’re reading this in an email or in the Substack app. I hear email filters are changing so it would be great to know if we’re still in touch or if this is in a junk folder 😆 Thank you!