Question regarding coffee house sketching

[Nathan House]

I've recently started at Seneca College in their art fundamental program and one of the suggestions (well actually requirements) is that we create a sketchbook over the course of the two terms. Now this is something that I'd like to do anyways and I know how crucial it can be to just draw constantly. One problem I have however is sketching from real life (a crucial subject). I've often heard the advise that places like cafes and public transportation are ideal for working on your sketch book but I personally find it really difficult to start drawing people without worrying about them wondering why I'm staring at them.

I'm wondering what other members experiences are with this issue. Any advice on techniques? Is it mainly in my mind and most people wouldn't be aware of what's going on?

[Hyskoa]

I've recently started at Seneca College in their art fundamental program and one of the suggestions (well actually requirements) is that we create a sketchbook over the course of the two terms. Now this is something that I'd like to do anyways and I know how crucial it can be to just draw constantly. One problem I have however is sketching from real life (a crucial subject). I've often heard the advise that places like cafes and public transportation are ideal for working on your sketch book but I personally find it really difficult to start drawing people without worrying about them wondering why I'm staring at them.

I'm wondering what other members experiences are with this issue. Any advice on techniques? Is it mainly in my mind and most people wouldn't be aware of what's going on?


If they hate being drawn, you'll notice fast enough.
You simply switch to another person then.

[Elwell]

Sunglasses + peripheral vision
(Note: works better outside)

[Seedling]

Sunglasses + peripheral vision
(Note: works better outside)

Brilliant! :D

[Mike Frank]

If you get caught looking at somebody, act like you are drawing whatever is behind/near them. (I think that was coro's advice)

If you draw the whole "scene" that might help take the pressure off too, since you're not just staring down one person.

I used to draw quite a bit at a coffee shop where they have seating inside and outside.. most of the time the people outside don't pay attention to whats going on inside and vice versa.

[DavePalumbo]

also, if all this should fail (though sunglasses, peripherals, looking beyond, and generally keeping a low profile should do the trick), most people still aren't going to care. I know it feels unnerving, but most people try to avoid confrontation (note: don't draw a person who looks like they seek confrontation) so even if they notice you, and even if they notice what you're doing, and even if that actually upsets them (we're already into the "highly unlikely" zone), they're most likely just going to go stand some place else.

[HunterKiller_]

Sunglasses + peripheral vision
(Note: works better outside)

Yeah that one works well. Just slap on my Aviators and nobody will know what I'm looking at. 8)

On the train, I try to be tricky by drawing the person from the reflection in the glass, rather than stare directly at them. ;)

[Nathan House]

This is all really great advice. I'm sure a lot of my hesitation exists in my head. Tomorrow, I'm going to saunter down to a local cafe and give it a try. I'll post back to let people know how it went.

As a slight sidenote, The Temple of The Seven Camels (http://sevencamels.blogspot.com/) blog has been featuring some great posts about keeping a sketchbook.

[Hyaloclastics]

I used to have exactly the same problem when i started doing this and it was because of my extreme shyness.It made me to try to sketch faster and rely more on my memory.After a week or so it was more easy,even though sometimes i still feel very uncomfortable when i do this...
Anyway,excellent tips guys!
;)

[MarkHarchar]

In a coffee house with a book store, Like Barne and Noble or something, people are often doing homework or reading a book. They are distracted what they are doing, so you can look for those type of people.

[Shaolin7]

Hmm, well at our sketchgroup ( http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=4372348#post4372348 ) we head to the univ and draw students, seeing as a couple of the members are / were BFA and BDES guys. Most of the time, people are either too engrossed with their own thing that they don't really notice. Once in a while, they will notice and either frown (because you're staring :x ) or they might even be a bit intrigued as to what's up. I know we had a couple of students peeking over our shoulders, and they eventually stopped studying and started drawing other people! We even heard one girl say to the other, "her leg doesn't look like that!". Kinda funny.

If you do get a sense that they're uncomfortable, you simply choose someone else. I've had people go by and see the nude figure studies and wonder what kind of weirdo I was, sheesh. In the end, though, no big deal right? You're there to brush up on your observational drawing and practice your technical skills. It's a great deal better when you've a few fellow compadres around to draw with you, so I'd encourage you to find or found a local sketchgroup in your area and get going! Lots of fun, good luck with it man.

*edit* Seeing as you're in Toronto, there's a pretty well known artist named Bobby Chiu who first posted on the CGTalk forums about subway sketching. He still does it, and he's very good. You'll want to check his thread out: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=210734

[Costau D]

There are many other blogs where people scan their sketchbooks and sometimes it's like looking at something that should be hanging in a museum. Don't get me wrong, I love to see that stuff and I'm really glad that those people share their sketchbooks with us. Those people blow me away. But let's face it: it can be intimidating. If you look at those you might think "Oh, that's what a sketchbook is supposed to look like" and think that you are doing it wrong.

That's a quote from the website the OP presented. That's the main thing tha always disturbed me when i started a sketchbook. Seeing these "sketchbooks" threads on this website is all the best art they did. I want to see everything they did, not a gallery. It comforts people like me and other amateurs that's ok to make mistakes. I'm glad i read that blog.

Thanks Nathan.

[chaosrocks]

In fact once the weather is nice the college green is a great place to sketch. we have sunbathers, martial artists *Tai chi * is incredible for action drawing cause they do it in slo mo, juggles people studying eating flirting making out,,,,,its great

[dose]

I draw on the subway several times a day. A helpful tactic I've found is to be working on several small sketches of different people at once. That way, when someone looks up or shifts positions, I just switch to one of the other people. A nice benefit of this is that sitting people often shift between 3 or 4 positions, so usually when one person moves another has shifted back to the position you were sketching.

Also, my sketchbook is full of sleeping and reading people- as mentioned before they are great subjects...

[funfetus]

I actually just got back from some cafe sketching. I did this daily for months when I had to keep a sketchbook for a figure drawing class. No one's ever said a thing. I always kinda find myself hoping someone will.

[DavePalumbo]

Also, if your coffee house has things like open mic night and such, you get a free one with the performers. Not only do they expect you to stare at them, they often won't move very much either. Might be a good way to ease in.

The downside is that you have to sit through a coffee shop open mic night... :P

[Shantih]

I've always found it quite easy on trains, there's always someone staring at you on the London Underground anyway, lovely thing that it is.

I haven't got up the courage to sketch in a coffee shop yet though, and I should because I spend too much time in them. I might when summer finally gets here and I can try it with sunglasses.

[Jazz]

This is a great topic! Gee, I think everyone's said the stuff that I would do, too. XD I have tinted glasses, so always wearing shades, in a way. Since I have and had a problem with eyesight, I'd tend to stare and CONCENTRATE pretty hard. To the point that people speaking in other languages thought I was nosing in on their conversations! XD So instead, I just keep my head down a little, slightly turned from the subject. My squinty eyes peer at them and I just turn my eyes back to draw. XD

I use the bus plenty, but the ride gets too rickety. I always wait for stops and quickly sketch whatever I see. Worst looking sketches, but they look better than when the bus is moving! >_< I try my best not to sit directly across from someone when I sketch. Though I took the risk once. ...I don't think the guy minded.

[Silvertone]

Mmmmm, I think most people wouldn't realize you're drawing them. I mean how can they tell if you're drawing or just writing something in some notebook...unless you have some crazy ass art setup...or holding your arm extended with thumbs up measuring their proportions or somethin! I think the point being...just don't be obvious about it. If any the only people who notice are passerbyes that look over your shoulder, that's what will take getting used to! Just sit in the corner if you can.

I'm not too keen on the bookstore or cafe for sketching. All your drawings will have the same poses and expressions. Plus in a quiet setting your subject will probably notice you more. Better I think are places like zoos or parks like Chaos mentioned and less likely to be "busted" by your subjects. You get more interaction between people...more activity and diversity. I've broken out my sketchbook at the gym on occassion. I do a set o' crunchies on the machine, pull out the sketchbook while I rest and do super quikies of the other people in the "ab room". Nobody notices, they probably think I'm filling in my program or whatever. Also fast food places have those kids playset thingies. Those can be fun to draw too. Museums and the malls too, you want to get a wide variety of people to choose from.

You should get in the habit of taking your sketchbook everywhere you go too, just to get used to carrying it around. You might not even use it for the first few outings but when your feeling bold and ready you'll no doubt get a feeling of, "Oh damn, I gotta sketch THAT person!" then bust out the sketchbook and start drawing. It's weird at first but after you make it a habit, it's no big deal.

[HunterKiller_]

unless you have some crazy ass art setup...or holding your arm extended with thumbs up measuring their proportions or somethin!

I can picture that. Eyes squinting, tongue between lips... Imagine their face when they see... ROFL!

[SgtDirtbag]

I just pictured the exact opposite.
Some sneaky CA member sitting in a nice and cozy coffeshop with a brown trenchcoat from the 30s, collar up to his eyebrows, dark sunglasses and an old and worn hat while everybody around's just in casual clothes. xD

On topic: I have to echo what Silvertone said, make carrying your SB a habit so that it's there when your courage shows up. ;)

[Nathan House]

Wow this thread has really exploded since I checked in last night. First off a thanks to everyone for chiming in and giving their two cents. Threads like this are exactly what I love about art communities like concept art.

Anyways, I just got back from my sketching and I thought I'd post a short update. I ended going to the coffee shop, buying a date square and then quickly leaving, as unfortunately the place was completely empty. Luckily, on the corner there was a park so, taking a note out Silvertone's book, I sat myself down and started sketching.

It was definitely difficult to try to capture people quickly as they stood at the light or leaned against a bus shelter but I guess therein lies the importance of practicing gestures. I had sunglasses on (thanks Elwell) and I was amazed how I could look at a person for a prolonged period and they wouldn't even glance up. Or if they did they certainly didn't take it further than a brief look around. Pretty successful overall and I look forward to seeing how it works out on the subway. Sunglasses might be a problem there.

If you're interested take a look at either my blog or sketchbook (linked below) where I've posted some of work from this afternoon.

[wheezy]

I find that having a fellow sketcher or just anyone actually with me helps. My fiancee will read a book while I draw or a friend of mine will be sketching along with me. I believe in a more open area like a park etc I would be ok with doing studies alone.

Great topic btw, thanks for bringing it up. Maybe this will inspire someone who was otherwise afraid to draw in public to do so, which will enhance their skills.

[dbclemons]

It isn't necessary to look at your model for every line you make. Give them a quick glance to determine what's what, and then concentrate on your drawing. It's a better memory excercise that way. Plus they'll likely be changing position on you constantly anyway.

P.S. Go to the zoo. Animals don't care.

[joelhinxman]

draw cute girls and then let them catch you. i heard once that chicks dig artists. but then agin they might think your creepy. but who cares ya got some life drawing practice and to stare a cute girl for a while.

[seth1]

Every girl I have met loves being drawn. Some people that get stared down drawn has liked it, or came over and looked some times drawing = sex...