In the past month, I've really thrown myself into the practice of sketching outdoors. Now that it's summer, it's felt great to take advantage of all this good weather to explore with my sketchbook. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get out there and go on a sketching adventure!
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Sketch from Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
It goes without saying that a sketchbook and pencils are pretty essential here. But there are a few other pieces of gear I've found super handy:
1. Drawing Pencils, Eraser, and Sharpener
2. Sketchbook
3. Pentel Color Brush
4. Reusable Baggies
5. Folding Stool
2. Sketchbook
3. Pentel Color Brush
4. Reusable Baggies
5. Folding Stool
These are the items I use the most often. Carrying all this can be a bit heavy so if you don't need to bring something, it's ok to leave it out. That said, a lot of the time I leave the house with my only plan being my destination. In those situations, it's nice to have a variety so I can adapt my style depending on the inspiration.
I've found the folding stool especially helpful. A lot of the time there aren't benches or chairs directly in front of what I'm interested in drawing so a mobile version is super handy. The Pentel brushes are also one of my favorite materials to draw with. Their design keeps the brush heads from fraying so it's awesome for clean linework, especially on the go. I actually use condiment containers as my ink/water cups because I've found their leak-proof seal generally better. The Ello brand ones also have a silicone boot, so if you're balancing them on unusual or uneven surfaces, they do a better job of staying there.
You don't need to schedule every hour of your trip, but having a general goal for where you're going is a good idea. A lot of the time I have a final destination in mind, as well as a general walking path, but if I see something interesting I'll stop and check it out. Walking on foot gives you more of an opportunity to see the hidden gems in your surroundings. Think of your plan as a guideline and feel free to take detours.
It's also a good idea to plan for bad weather. Check the weather forecast before you head out so you can pack accordingly. If it's going to be hot, bring sunscreen and water. If it might rain, bring a backup raincoat and a plastic bag to wrap your sketchbook in (in case you're backpack can't protect it). Basically, all the things you're mom might nag you about if she were there.
Drawing out in public kind of guarantees that people are going to cross your path. As a personal policy, I try not to draw people without their permission. Some people are ok with being included in a sketch, others would prefer not to. If I noticed a stranger watching and drawing me it would probably weird me out without context. Try and ask people if their comfortable being drawn whenever possible. If you don't have the opportunity to ask, you probably shouldn't post it without their knowledge.
If you want to practice figure drawing without worrying about asking permission, I'd recommend either attending live group sketching events or using Instagram to reference photos. Personally, I'm a fan @watchingnewyork on IG.
Sketch based on @watchingnewyork
Sketch based on @watchingnewyork
Additionally, there will be people who will want to interact with you because you're doing something interesting in public. Lots of people, kids especially, will have questions or comments about your work, and that's ok. Talking to people and encouraging them to draw or sketch has been an unexpected bonus to plein-air sketching for me.
Conversely, I've also had people taking photos of me or my artwork without permission. Generally, I find these kinds of interactions uncomfortable, so I usually have to step in. In these situations, I try to politely ask that they delete the image. Leading with kindness is an effective way of getting people to stop what they're doing without much drama. Setting up a 'no photos' sign is also an option.
As someone who draws frequently, sitting in the same position and drawing consistently can be hard on your body. I've tried to start setting 45-minute timers for me to take a break. During these times I make sure to drink water or have a snack, as well as stretch. I've got a whole set of hand and wrist stretches, but getting up and stretching your back and limbs is important too. It's easy to forget to take care of yourself when you're in the flow state for sketching, but try your best to stay healthy. Think of these sketch trips as a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself.
This sketch from the Lincoln Park Conservatory took me about 3 hours. Stopping to stretch and take breaks was pretty essential, otherwise, I might not have made it through.
I started this sketch in person and got tired part way through. I ended up finishing it later when I was feeling up to it. Don't be afraid of doing more than one sitting, or polishing off a sketch once you get home.
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to get things perfect. This is a sketchbook, the point is to explore, so messing up is part of the process. No one has to see your sketchbook, so keep it loose and throw caution to the winds.
Sketch at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Asorted quick sketches from Chicago's north side
I've had trouble overcoming the fear of 'ruining' the blank page. Recently, I've started sketching in ink so I'm forced to live with all the lines I put on the page. It's been a good way to disabuse myself of the notion that one stray mark is a failure, and has made me more decisive. It's a fun way of getting out of your comfort zone!
For more frequent updates on what's going on in my practice, you can follow me on Instagram or simply check out my Sketchbook Round-Ups here on this site.