I’ve noticed before that as I get more comfortable with a city, the friendlier the locals seem to become. I went to the post office today and two separate customers helped me, and the lady behind the desk was very smiley and kind, even if I couldn’t understand anything she said. I don’t know if my outlook changes once I’ve been in a place for awhile, or if I develop a more open demeanor that actually causes people to treat me better; it’s probably both.
After my errand I went to a café and ordered carrot cake, then took a seat outside for some writing and sketching. There was a free concert in Ingólfstorg (Ingolf’s Square) because of the jazz festival, so I drew some of the people who were there listening to the Samúel Jón Samúelsson Big Band’s “unique North Atlantic Afro Beat.”
After this I realized that if I am going to do any amount of outdoor sketching in Iceland, I’ll need some way to keep my hands warm. (This was true in Scotland as well, which is maybe why I didn’t do much outdoor sketching there!) I remembered seeing some Iceland-made wool-blend felt mitts in a gift shop, so I browsed the shops around the square until I found the same pair. They’re not super-insulating but they’re very fitted, so I won’t have that clumsy-mitten feeling!
I thought I was going home after that, but when I caught sight of the harbor from a space between two buildings, I had to go there. I crossed a couple of streets to the Old Harbor, where I spotted a bench and decided I had enough stamina left for another sketch.
I think I’m getting better at these pen/marker sketches. I’ve resolved to do more of them so as to get more practice. I’ve also been following a couple of artist/illustrator-bloggers who do similar (but way more polished) versions of the same, and they inspire me. Check ’em out: SF-based Wendy MacNaughton and UK illustrator Geo Parkin.
satsumabug.com | Lisa Hsia 
this is really cool!
Thank you! I need the practice so I hope you’ll be seeing lots more sketches like this. 😉
Gosh, I love these sketches, Lisa! Has your work painting/sketching live models helped you do quick sketches, like the one above with all the figures in it? They just look so right!
Thank you so much, Sherry! I think the life drawing has helped, but strangely enough I think the most important thing with these superfast live sketches is just remember to approach them as such. You know I have a tendency to go for too much detail… when I’m scribbling very quickly like I did with today’s figures (when I heard a song coming to an end I’d draw really furiously because I know people have a tendency to move when the song is over… ha!) it’s more a question of mindset, of realizing I have to do this rapidly and will need to get the overall look of the person rather than details of hair or profile or clothing. It’s quite freeing actually. 😀
The sketches are great!
Thank you, Munira! 🙂 I’m always so pleased with myself when I actually take the time to do some. ;b
I was marvelling at just that! 😀 Kudos!
Hee, thank you!! Encouragement is good so I’ll keep doing it! 😉
Oh Lisa , in my humble opinion learn from the illustrators but keep your own individual style! You don’t want your drawings to look like everyone elses.
Thank you, Carla. 🙂 I feel like my drawings always end up looking like mine, even if I’m consciously trying to imitate someone else. I hope so anyway!