Travers Park is the main meeting point of Jackson Heights. At 8 am on a Sunday morning, it’s buzzing with people exercising, chatting, dog walking, etc., etc. Also, the farmer’s market is setting up for the morning’s business. I went there this morning with Neil to do some drawing (need to practice, even in the cold!) and watch him exercise. While I was drawing, I met a little girl named Grace, about seven years old, who also likes to draw. She proceeded to sit next to me on the bench, and art direct me through the entire drawing you see above. “Did you get that man running? Did you get those dogs? Why don’t you draw that little boy with the basketball?” She was hysterical. And right on the money, too! She told me that she liked to draw good things to eat, like an ice cream sundae. I gave her a piece of paper and said, “let’s draw the park together.”
I told Grace I was drawing Neil exercising (center, above) and asked her why didn’t she draw that? “He’s moving a lot,” she said, “so I’m just going to pick one pose and do that.” Let me tell you, Grace nailed it. I wish I had the presence of mind to take a picture of her finished drawing with my i-phone, because her illustration was way better than mine. She didn’t miss a thing!
After a while, Grace got tired of training me, and decided to show me how she trains the local dogs instead, using a stick with leaves on the end of it. I drew her with the dogs, above, and she came running over to see the result. “Did you get the dogs standing up, trying to get the leaves?” she asked. “I did it twice for you.” Ha ha, another creative director in the making! Hope to see her again in the park some time, I could use a few more pointers!
Totally enjoyed your sketches from the park today. Thank you.
Very nice Veronica. I have always liked your work since your SBS intro to me.
Barry
BTW
I just had Spring break from teaching… made a total dedication to sketching 2 to 3 per day.
It was fun with a capital F.
Love these. Drawing like this is addictive. I know I am in its thrall. Was drawing a photographer today who asked if I was an artist or a writer. Oops. I couldn’t resist drawing her instead of the waterfall I had walked miles to draw. Oh well. Going back tomorrow to try the waterfall. Maybe I will like it better with people in front of it!
hi there, what medium were you using exactly, and what kind of paper? Thanks. I like your drawings of people being active. Very cool.
Hi Veronica
Nice story, nice drawing
Bravo
[…] Sketchbook Skool assignments in some sort of random order. This week the email prompt was from Veronica Lawlor who suggested a way to create a story on a sketchbook […]
Hi Vera! This was done with colored pencil, a light grey marker, and some kind of pen, I don’t remember what kind but probably a disposable fountain pen. Not sure what kind of paper!
Hi Margaret, yes, people always trump for me, too! :)
Hi Barry, so glad you had fun with a capital F!!
[…] The drawings I did this week of moving people were inspired by an email assignment from Veronica Lawlor and her own example of sketching in the park. […]