Draw like no one’s watching
The great thing about sketching is that all you need is a pen and paper. You don’t even have to be a skilled artist. Children draw all the time, drawing what they want to draw any time of day. The difference between children and adults drawing is that the latter has to deal with imposter syndrome and or years of self-judgement and misconceptions about what good art is supposed to be or look like.
Since I sold the last car I’d ever own in 2011, I’ve been taking buses and trains ever since. As you can imagine that has entailed lots of waiting. Waiting for the bus. Waiting for the jeepney. Waiting on the train until I get to my next destination. I didn’t realize until recently that I could draw and sketch the time away. So I’ve been sketching on and off different means of public transportation.
For the past year I’ve been “throwing ink on the pad” from cafes to buses. It’s been a nice way to get my mind off of work and life in general, and focus on something passive and observational. When I draw my mind and body is no longer a concern. There are no concerns at all but the ink falling where it may, as I simply draw what I see. I am no longer trying to be precise or serious like I am when I do client work.
As much as I love drawing children’s books, every line and color is intentional. Every character, page, and spread is pre-planned with love and care. But when I sketch just to sketch, like on a bus or train, no line is planned or made with intention. I just draw what I see. Many of the lines are accidental instead of purposeful. If I’m drawing 1 or 2 people sitting at a bus stop, and one of them leaves, my pen keeps moving.
I encourage you to try it out at home. Take out a pen and piece of paper and draw something that gets your attention or gains your interest. It doesn’t have to be anything special. It could be an orange in your kitchen, or your favourite shoe. A challenge would be your cat or dog, but it’s all the same. Just be in the moment and draw what you see. They say dance like no one’s watching, do the same with drawing.
Look up “urban sketching” groups near you here, send them an email or message, and ask if they welcome newbies and beginners. If they do (which is likely the case) join their next get-together and try it out. Learn, observe, and enjoy what is essentially your natural instinct to create, for creation’s sake.
