Sketches: Drawing in Public

Drawing quick sketches from life has been one of my favorite parts of my journey. It’s a fun challenge that really checks what you’re capable of, not to mention, it’s always nice when you’re out and about drawing, and people stop and take an interest in what you’re doing. I’ve met so many people, and heard so many stories from people all over the world while doing these.

But it hasn’t always been like this. Drawing in public used to terrify me. There was always that lurking fear lurking of ‘what if I’m not good enough?’ or ‘What if people don’t like my work?’ However, a few years back, I made the decision that my desire to learn and improve was greater than my fear of failure. I really wanted to get good at drawing things on site, from life (i.e. city buildings, streets, nature, moving people, etc.), and to do that I knew I would have to stretch myself, and be willing to fail… sometimes even failing publicly.

Since making that decision, it’s been a process, a series of uncomfortable growing moments. I’ve traveled the world, and drawn all kinds of things from famous monuments & works of art, to regular people in subways and restaurants. I’ve asked strangers at airports, on planes, or friends and family members, if I could sit an draw them. Sometimes I draw them quick, within a minute or few, and sometimes it’s upwards of an hour or few. I’ve drawn in freezing weather, rain, wind, snow, and places that were so hot I was drenched in sweat by the end of them.

Sometimes it goes really well. I nail it. It looks accurate, and lifelike. Sometimes everything is off, but I adjust something, and it clicks. It’s magic. And still other times it just doesn’t work.

This process isn’t really unique to art though. It’s learning. It’s challenging yourself, and finding out what you’re capable of. It can be done in just about every aspect of life. It can be frustrating, but it’s also how we grow.

For me, sketching on site, has made me feel kind of like a touring musician. I’ve been making the transition from being good at making music in a studio, with all the extra time, and tools to provide those extra touch ups, to getting good at live performances by busking on the streets. It’s humbling. It’s difficult, and the process is not always pretty, but it’s a skill you have to gain before you can really validate what you can do.

If you’re curious, you can check out my ‘sketch’ page on this website to see all of these. To me, they’re so unique and valuable because they are literally interpretations of the places and things I’ve experienced. Almost all of them have been drawn on site, in the elements, throughout the world, and show a progression of my abilities and growth as an artist. Each possesses a unique and personal story.

As of now, they’re not available for purchase, but they may be in the future.