I love how you only have a very short time to do each one. I'm a beginner and I've been doing @drawingisfree_org on Insta every Monday and you have the length of a song to draw someone's face, one of the other sketchers. It forces you to not overthink it, which is great! ✍️❤️
I’ve heard about drawing is free, I’ve never joined but sounds like a great way to learn to draw people without getting overwhelmed or overthinking it. That used to be my problem with drawing people.
It's interesting that nobody has ever commented on what you're doing. I do agree that people keep to themselves in the metro, but I've occasionally at least exchanged a few words.
The Métro is one of my favourite places to take pictures in Paris.
Have you considered riding each line end to end (on different days, of course) and putting each into mini-collections of lines within the full collection? Another idea that popped into my head was to photograph each of the drawings as you complete them so as to have a GPS mapping of where they were drawn.
I have thought about doing other lines, I mostly ride one or two lines so it’s for sure not an accurate overview of the Paris metro. Your suggestion for having a collection for each line is a great one!
Thank you for writing about this experience! I love the fact that several of them are looking down, often at their phones like you wrote. I do it often, and also sometimes close my eyes in the metro, so it really gave me the impression of being there. So much urban sketching looks like portraits that could have been drawn anywhere, but the proportion of people looking down makes yours series very authentic. I know this makes metro crowds look sad for many people, but for me it's genuine.
Thank you! I try to apply my journalism storytelling skills to my urban sketching, trying to convey the truth and story of the place and what I am seeing and using my voice (i.e. my drawing style) to show it. The fact that you find my series authentic means I am succeeding in my goal!
How interesting to hear about what you have learnt from the practice. I'm so surprised no one has said anything or had a look! Would you ever show someone?
I took out my sketchbook on the Subway the other day, intenting to draw people… but I got too shy / self conscious, and ended up only sketching the empty seats in front of me 🤦🏻♀️
But your post definitely inspired me to give it another try. Thank you for sharing your project and experience.
I love your reflections on simplicity and focusing on a distinct feature or object on a person. And wow -- 30 seconds to 1 minute is no time at all! Brava!
I’m so glad you have kept up your drawing on the metro! I love drawing on the metro when we visit Paris and other big cities with public transportation.
When I was in Paris in November of 2023 I joined a group of artists who met at a coffee shop in the 17th Arrondisement. We sat at a table and did quick drawings of the person sitting across from us (about 2 minutes) as a warm up and then each of us took turns “modeling” at the head of the table for 10 minutes. The group was friendly, welcoming and encouraging. You might want to check the Meetup.com site and see if they are still meeting.
I love how you only have a very short time to do each one. I'm a beginner and I've been doing @drawingisfree_org on Insta every Monday and you have the length of a song to draw someone's face, one of the other sketchers. It forces you to not overthink it, which is great! ✍️❤️
I’ve heard about drawing is free, I’ve never joined but sounds like a great way to learn to draw people without getting overwhelmed or overthinking it. That used to be my problem with drawing people.
Fun!! I enjoyed your post and project. Very inspiring!! ❤️
I love reading about all that you learned in doing this project for a year
Merci! It was not intended as a year long project but it’s turned into something I do nearly every time I’m on the metro.
I so enjoyed your work.
It's interesting that nobody has ever commented on what you're doing. I do agree that people keep to themselves in the metro, but I've occasionally at least exchanged a few words.
Maybe it’s just me -- I tend to be a bit more guarded when I’m by myself in a city than if I’m with others.
The Métro is one of my favourite places to take pictures in Paris.
Have you considered riding each line end to end (on different days, of course) and putting each into mini-collections of lines within the full collection? Another idea that popped into my head was to photograph each of the drawings as you complete them so as to have a GPS mapping of where they were drawn.
I have thought about doing other lines, I mostly ride one or two lines so it’s for sure not an accurate overview of the Paris metro. Your suggestion for having a collection for each line is a great one!
Great ideas Patrick!
I love this. I spent a few months drawing people reading on the NYC Subway. It's such a unique way of observing people.
Thank you for writing about this experience! I love the fact that several of them are looking down, often at their phones like you wrote. I do it often, and also sometimes close my eyes in the metro, so it really gave me the impression of being there. So much urban sketching looks like portraits that could have been drawn anywhere, but the proportion of people looking down makes yours series very authentic. I know this makes metro crowds look sad for many people, but for me it's genuine.
Thank you! I try to apply my journalism storytelling skills to my urban sketching, trying to convey the truth and story of the place and what I am seeing and using my voice (i.e. my drawing style) to show it. The fact that you find my series authentic means I am succeeding in my goal!
I just love this!
How interesting to hear about what you have learnt from the practice. I'm so surprised no one has said anything or had a look! Would you ever show someone?
Maybe if I gain enough confidence in my French!
this as a creative practice is so powerful and inspiring! such a big fan of what you do and how you've put yourself out there.
Thanks so much!
I took out my sketchbook on the Subway the other day, intenting to draw people… but I got too shy / self conscious, and ended up only sketching the empty seats in front of me 🤦🏻♀️
But your post definitely inspired me to give it another try. Thank you for sharing your project and experience.
It seems scary at first, but once you do it the first time that fear will go away!
I 💙 Zola. Which book are you reading?
The Ladies Paradise
I love your reflections on simplicity and focusing on a distinct feature or object on a person. And wow -- 30 seconds to 1 minute is no time at all! Brava!
Such an inspiring idea for people to gain confidence to draw in public.
I’m so glad you have kept up your drawing on the metro! I love drawing on the metro when we visit Paris and other big cities with public transportation.
When I was in Paris in November of 2023 I joined a group of artists who met at a coffee shop in the 17th Arrondisement. We sat at a table and did quick drawings of the person sitting across from us (about 2 minutes) as a warm up and then each of us took turns “modeling” at the head of the table for 10 minutes. The group was friendly, welcoming and encouraging. You might want to check the Meetup.com site and see if they are still meeting.
Sounds like a great group! I join urban sketching groups and drink and draw groups in Paris when I can which is sadly not as often as I’d like.