Isn’t It Uncomfortable to Sketch with People watching You?
I admit to being intimidated when I first set myself up on a public street and started to do a sketch. For my first time I went to a street in a remote area of my hometown where there were no pedestrians and only an occasional resident who came out, got in his/her car and drove away. The next time I was taking an urban sketching class and there were twelve of us plus the instructor. I was still a bit nervous about sitting on Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia, but calmed, too, knowing there were a lot of us doing the same thing.
Sketching on Broad Street, Richmond, VA (John A. Hancock workshop)
Yes, at first you may feel a bit uncomfortable but you get over it. Some passers-by will glance at you, smile, and move on, others will ignore you and keep on going, and still others will stop and ask what you’re doing. That - probably the one thing you fear the most when you set up to do an on-location sketch in a very public area - usually turns out to be one of the best experiences you have while you’re working on your painting. Once someone makes contact and you respond, they will usually launch into a story. Perhaps they, too, are an artist and want to share their experiences. Or, maybe they wish they could draw like you’re doing but think they can’t. That starts a whole other story. Yes, it may interrupt your flow, but go with it. Enjoy the interaction. That is the essence of on-location or “urban” sketching. Enjoying the experience itself. If this happens when you’re sketching something, I guarantee you that every time you look at that sketch/painting in your sketchbook you will remember that day. You’ll remember the conversation you had with that stranger and you will smile!
So don’t fear the people walking by you. Many will ignore you, but some will glance and comment. The important thing is not to obstruct a passageway and to be polite to everyone.if you’re working in or near the entrance to a store, you may be asked to move. Do so. Don’t get into a confrontation with anyone. That area may be or, at least, be considered private property. Instead, always try to make sure you’re on public property such as a public park area across from the building you want to draw. Or locate yourself right on the sidewalk as you know that’s public property. And, again, make sure you’re not in peoples’ way. Finally, be sure you take everything with you. Don’t leave any trash such as used paper towels. And don’t dump your dirty water out on the sidewalk!
