{"id":278,"date":"2020-04-23T06:18:53","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T06:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/?p=278"},"modified":"2023-06-20T17:33:35","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T17:33:35","slug":"how-to-sketch-in-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/how-to-sketch-in-public\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sketch in Public: Overcoming the Fear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ok, let’s just clear this up. It\u2019s scary drawing in public.  People can actually see you, drawing…and judge you. Scary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first.  Then…you get used to it, I promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then, it\u2019s not scary at all.  It just feels like a normal thing to do.  People aren\u2019t judging you. They probably don\u2019t even notice you.  Ouch. It’s true though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Sketch in Public?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, you\u2019re here because you\u2019re interested in urban sketching right?  And the essence of urban sketching is sketching on location and sketching from life (you can see the Urban Sketchers manifesto here<\/strong><\/a>).  So that basically means sketching in public.  However, just because it\u2019s called urban<\/em><\/strong> sketching does not mean you cannot go out into the countryside where there are fewer people loitering around and sketch there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps we have just distilled the fear of sketching in public: other people.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urban Sketching in Public – First Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ok, let\u2019s get the basic defence mechanisms<\/strong> listed here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sit somewhere inconspicuous<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A bench in the shade under a tree away from other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a cafe with your back against the wall so no one can creep up behind you or see what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Wear sunglasses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If people cannot make eye contact as they approach, they may be less likely to bother you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Wear headphones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As above, if people know they can\u2019t hear you they will be less likely to approach.  Also, you can block out people\u2019s comments if they are passing behind you, looking at what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a huge music fan (fun fact: I was a bass player in a progressive metal band for 12 years) but I absolutely love listening to podcasts and audiobooks while sketching too.  Want some awesome art-related podcast recommendations? Well my friend, look no further than my suggestions here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Sit somewhere very busy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If somewhere is very crowded and busy people are less likely to stop and notice you. Just don\u2019t get stepped on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Look inconspicuous<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Think twice about wearing your leopard print dress and red heels, or your most floral shirt (you\u2019re not Lapin) and pink stripey flares (the \u201970s called and want their outfit back). Seriously though, be inconspicuous.  Dress simply and do not draw attention to yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are defence mechanisms against the general public.  The general public is an unpredictable bunch. They can be incredibly kind and wonderful but once in a blue moon, they can also be scary and, you may suspect, a little judgy.  I worked on a cruise ship once. I know<\/em> how strange the public can be.
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How to Build Confidence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I first started inching away from my front door in order to go and sketch somewhere other than my bedroom I would fill a few pages of my sketchbook with some partially completed drawings<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That way I already had some reasonable sketches to go out into the world with.  Then when I would sit down somewhere in public, I could just pick up where I left off and carry on drawing.  This helps with the fear of opening your sketchbook to a blank page and just clamming up because you don\u2019t know what to do next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, this is not urban sketching in the strict sense BUT that\u2019s ok, we are just trying to build confidence in the activity of drawing in public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding a good vantage point and then drawing what\u2019s in front of you to a standard that you don\u2019t think other people will think you\u2019re rubbish is actually quite a lot of pressure at first.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why not ease yourself into the actual sensation of drawing in public<\/strong> first with a sketch you\u2019ve already started. You can carry on sketching from your reference photo, doodling or whatever you were partway through.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you stop feeling so conspicuous sitting in a cafe or on a park bench and drawing in your sketchbook, you will be ready to take on drawing from life.
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Want to learn travel sketching in ink & watercolour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Check out my course, Sketch Your Adventures and for a limited time get 50% OFF!!!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Sketch<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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FIND OUT MORE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Start Small<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are inside, draw a cup, the ketchup bottle, the set of condiments in front of you, cutlery, your plate of food or the naughty cupcake you ordered to reward yourself for being so brave (ha ha).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re outside, draw some plants, trees, your footwear, the lamp post, the list goes on.  If you are looking for some inspiration on what to draw or exercises to try when you\u2019re out sketching, check my post here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can really help to have a focussed list of ideas, especially when you are just starting out and your nerves get the best of you and your mind goes blank.  I remember often wandering around mindlessly while trying to find just the right spot to draw something. I would just be so fearful, I couldn\u2019t find anywhere to sit with a good view (or at least that\u2019s the excuse I kept telling myself).  The list in my post<\/strong><\/a> will break down your walls a bit and get you thinking (and looking) at the endless possibilities.
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Want to improve your urban sketching skills?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Try these online courses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n