Quick Sketches

[JWJ]

A few days ago I was looking at a series of quick sketches made by an artist called Harry Hamill. Harry has used his pencil and sketch book to capture snippets of his life, especially the people he's met. Looking at his work I felt inspired to have-a-go at some quick sketches myself, and although they are a million miles out of Harry's league, I have to confess to getting very much pleasure from doing them. Each one took no more than 5-10 minutes and they do not look a great deal like the subjects because I'm useless at capturing faces, but they have captured the activity and mood, and in that regard I'm very pleased.  

[JWJ]

Just two more...

[Pat]

John,
very, very nice sketches! We did alot of 5 to 10 min.
sketches in school. We used up alot of newspaper
drawing pads of paper. Did them in pencil, ink &
charcoal.

Pat 

[JWJ]

Pat, having never been to art school I missed out on those valuable exercises and am only discovering them as I go along, like last months Drawing Project with screwed up paper.

[Lucia]

John these are wonderful little sketches. I really enjoy sketching. I Always carry a sketch book with me and when i am waiting in a doctors or dentist waiting room sketch the people sat in there with you, makes the time pass really quickly and i have learned something. John keep them coming
Lucia 

[Tracey]

Hey there Johno

Love um!  I really enjoy the spontinaity of hem - they are so much less planned and deliberate than a lot of your other work, which for me, adds excitement and feeling.  I can actually see you enjoyed making them. Like Lucia, I too always cary a small sketch book.  Take care though, sometimes I find myself really examining someone I'm drawing - they don't realise I'm sketching - but see me writing - and they look very worried - Blokey reckons they think I'm DSS checking up on um!!

You should carry this exercise on - nothing teaches drawing better than actually doing it. Draw at every opportunity too.  You'll find yourself getting better and better and quicker - and soon you'll develop a personal style.  You can simplfy more too - for speed - try doing line only one day - then the next no line - just draw areas of light and dark - all these methods add excitement to ya work.. as well as teaching you loads!  Continue!

Trace x

[Sue R]

They are gems, John, and very well done. I find the human form very tricky but you have managed to capture life and interest. I particularly like the young woman knitting.

[Millie]

Very, very good John!!! I like them all and they look very relaxed and casual.
Millie

[JWJ]

Thanks everyone.

Lucia, in the time honoured tradition of "I'll show you mine of you'll show me yours", let's see some.

Tracey, I like your suggestion of varying the style. I'll give it a go.