I love coincidences. I tend towards calling it fate or destiny, but I'm romantic like that. :)
I recently read the article "Drawing the Olympics" by Liza Donnelly on The New Yorker website. In the article she talks about "tweet-drawing" the Olympics. What is tweet-drawing? Essentially, she watches a live event on TV (in the past she has done it with award shows) and quickly draws sketches which she then tweets out:
"Tweet-drawing requires the immediacy of the moment as I see it on the television, and the exchange that ensues with my followers. I am emboldened by their responses as I share my sketches. It’s a fast-paced, visual conversation on Twitter…."
Her sketches are fun and fast and quirky and made me smile. I made a mental note that I wanted to try doing some tweet-drawing — maybe without the tweeting. Seeing something filled with action on TV and then quickly sketching it. It seemed like an exciting challenge.
By coincidence (or fate or destiny), almost the very next day an interesting e-mail crossed my desk. I belong to the NYC Urban Sketchers. Every single Saturday they have interesting sketch get-togethers at locations throughout the 5 boroughs. On this particular Saturday, they were going to the Manhattan Fencing Center. Talk about action. So, I decided I would give sketching action a try.
It was hard.
I definitely need more practice.
Everything moved so quickly and I don't have a strong enough grasp of anatomy to fill in the gaps where I was unable to see it. That said, I had fun and learned some things.
Here are a few of the sketches that I did:
These are super quick sketches — all done in 30 – 90 seconds. To capture anything in that time frame you've got to focus on the gesture. As difficult (and frustrating) as working this quickly was, I'd like to do it again! I think it's such a great way to train your eye. One of my artistic goals for this year is to get better at sketching. And there's only one to do that: practice, practice, practice! (And then maybe I'll get a little brave and try some tweet-drawing like Liza!)
Finally, here's a quick video I made for you on how I got the painterly look you see in these sketches!
Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds like a great challenge that we can try while watching TV. I think your sketches look awesome. Thank you for sharing the video.
This sounds like a great challenge that we can try while watching TV. I think your sketches look awesome. Thank you for sharing the video.
This sounds like a great challenge that we can try while watching TV. I think your sketches look awesome. Thank you for sharing the video.
This sounds like a great challenge that we can try while watching TV. I think your sketches look awesome. Thank you for sharing the video.
This sounds like a great challenge that we can try while watching TV. I think your sketches look awesome. Thank you for sharing the video.
Ok, I am going to try sketching with my varsity pen today. Love this idea Julie of a technique in a minute. Thanks so much.
Ok, I am going to try sketching with my varsity pen today. Love this idea Julie of a technique in a minute. Thanks so much.
Ok, I am going to try sketching with my varsity pen today. Love this idea Julie of a technique in a minute. Thanks so much.
Ok, I am going to try sketching with my varsity pen today. Love this idea Julie of a technique in a minute. Thanks so much.
Ok, I am going to try sketching with my varsity pen today. Love this idea Julie of a technique in a minute. Thanks so much.
I learn so much from you! Thanks!
I learn so much from you! Thanks!
I learn so much from you! Thanks!
I learn so much from you! Thanks!
I learn so much from you! Thanks!
Are these similar to gesture drawings? Something I’d like to do more of too.
Are these similar to gesture drawings? Something I’d like to do more of too.
Are these similar to gesture drawings? Something I’d like to do more of too.
Are these similar to gesture drawings? Something I’d like to do more of too.
Are these similar to gesture drawings? Something I’d like to do more of too.
Pretty cool and thanks for the tut.
Pretty cool and thanks for the tut.
Pretty cool and thanks for the tut.
Pretty cool and thanks for the tut.
Pretty cool and thanks for the tut.
So many things to learn – so little – hey I have my whole life. Thanks for being brave enough to share the learning part as you go along.
So many things to learn – so little – hey I have my whole life. Thanks for being brave enough to share the learning part as you go along.
So many things to learn – so little – hey I have my whole life. Thanks for being brave enough to share the learning part as you go along.
So many things to learn – so little – hey I have my whole life. Thanks for being brave enough to share the learning part as you go along.
So many things to learn – so little – hey I have my whole life. Thanks for being brave enough to share the learning part as you go along.
I think they look great!
I think they look great!
I think they look great!
I think they look great!
I think they look great!
Your fencing drawings look perfect to me. I don’t do much drawing, but it’s something I’m aiming for this year. Love the painterly look video! Thanks for sharing.
Your fencing drawings look perfect to me. I don’t do much drawing, but it’s something I’m aiming for this year. Love the painterly look video! Thanks for sharing.
Your fencing drawings look perfect to me. I don’t do much drawing, but it’s something I’m aiming for this year. Love the painterly look video! Thanks for sharing.
Your fencing drawings look perfect to me. I don’t do much drawing, but it’s something I’m aiming for this year. Love the painterly look video! Thanks for sharing.
Your fencing drawings look perfect to me. I don’t do much drawing, but it’s something I’m aiming for this year. Love the painterly look video! Thanks for sharing.
Wow what amazing painterly work you did – and your video is just so inspiring – thank you so much for sharing
Wow what amazing painterly work you did – and your video is just so inspiring – thank you so much for sharing
Wow what amazing painterly work you did – and your video is just so inspiring – thank you so much for sharing
Wow what amazing painterly work you did – and your video is just so inspiring – thank you so much for sharing
Wow what amazing painterly work you did – and your video is just so inspiring – thank you so much for sharing
I love gesture drawing but it does take practice, practice, practice….not something I have the patience to do everyday but I notice that when I take the “perfection” overlay off my intention I actually have FUN. So thanks, Julie for the inspiration to pick up my pen once again.
I love gesture drawing but it does take practice, practice, practice….not something I have the patience to do everyday but I notice that when I take the “perfection” overlay off my intention I actually have FUN. So thanks, Julie for the inspiration to pick up my pen once again.
I love gesture drawing but it does take practice, practice, practice….not something I have the patience to do everyday but I notice that when I take the “perfection” overlay off my intention I actually have FUN. So thanks, Julie for the inspiration to pick up my pen once again.
I love gesture drawing but it does take practice, practice, practice….not something I have the patience to do everyday but I notice that when I take the “perfection” overlay off my intention I actually have FUN. So thanks, Julie for the inspiration to pick up my pen once again.
I love gesture drawing but it does take practice, practice, practice….not something I have the patience to do everyday but I notice that when I take the “perfection” overlay off my intention I actually have FUN. So thanks, Julie for the inspiration to pick up my pen once again.
gesture drawing was the bane of my life at U. to this day I still hate it, I do portrait drawings and believe me I am still the slow drawer…. need to feel the pencil or whatever I use to caress the line…. But you are getting the hang of it, have fun…
Annie v.
gesture drawing was the bane of my life at U. to this day I still hate it, I do portrait drawings and believe me I am still the slow drawer…. need to feel the pencil or whatever I use to caress the line…. But you are getting the hang of it, have fun…
Annie v.
gesture drawing was the bane of my life at U. to this day I still hate it, I do portrait drawings and believe me I am still the slow drawer…. need to feel the pencil or whatever I use to caress the line…. But you are getting the hang of it, have fun…
Annie v.
gesture drawing was the bane of my life at U. to this day I still hate it, I do portrait drawings and believe me I am still the slow drawer…. need to feel the pencil or whatever I use to caress the line…. But you are getting the hang of it, have fun…
Annie v.
gesture drawing was the bane of my life at U. to this day I still hate it, I do portrait drawings and believe me I am still the slow drawer…. need to feel the pencil or whatever I use to caress the line…. But you are getting the hang of it, have fun…
Annie v.
I enjoy your blogs and tutorials. I’ve never been good at gesture sketching and so avoid it. But I admire my niece who can draw people (or anything) so fast thru gesture sketching. If you are brave enough to share yours, then maybe I should be willing to at least try. Thanks for the inspiration.
I enjoy your blogs and tutorials. I’ve never been good at gesture sketching and so avoid it. But I admire my niece who can draw people (or anything) so fast thru gesture sketching. If you are brave enough to share yours, then maybe I should be willing to at least try. Thanks for the inspiration.
I enjoy your blogs and tutorials. I’ve never been good at gesture sketching and so avoid it. But I admire my niece who can draw people (or anything) so fast thru gesture sketching. If you are brave enough to share yours, then maybe I should be willing to at least try. Thanks for the inspiration.
I enjoy your blogs and tutorials. I’ve never been good at gesture sketching and so avoid it. But I admire my niece who can draw people (or anything) so fast thru gesture sketching. If you are brave enough to share yours, then maybe I should be willing to at least try. Thanks for the inspiration.
I enjoy your blogs and tutorials. I’ve never been good at gesture sketching and so avoid it. But I admire my niece who can draw people (or anything) so fast thru gesture sketching. If you are brave enough to share yours, then maybe I should be willing to at least try. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hey girl! I think you did a great job! I have to have something in front of me and have to study and sketch for a while. I love the tip on the pen and can’t wait to get one and try it.
Hey girl! I think you did a great job! I have to have something in front of me and have to study and sketch for a while. I love the tip on the pen and can’t wait to get one and try it.
Hey girl! I think you did a great job! I have to have something in front of me and have to study and sketch for a while. I love the tip on the pen and can’t wait to get one and try it.
Hey girl! I think you did a great job! I have to have something in front of me and have to study and sketch for a while. I love the tip on the pen and can’t wait to get one and try it.
Hey girl! I think you did a great job! I have to have something in front of me and have to study and sketch for a while. I love the tip on the pen and can’t wait to get one and try it.
I looked up an Urban Sketchers in my area. Closest one is in San Deigo, about 2 hours south of me….close enough!
Thanks for the inspiration and the information….never knew there was such a thing.
~Robin Redd
I looked up an Urban Sketchers in my area. Closest one is in San Deigo, about 2 hours south of me….close enough!
Thanks for the inspiration and the information….never knew there was such a thing.
~Robin Redd
I looked up an Urban Sketchers in my area. Closest one is in San Deigo, about 2 hours south of me….close enough!
Thanks for the inspiration and the information….never knew there was such a thing.
~Robin Redd
I looked up an Urban Sketchers in my area. Closest one is in San Deigo, about 2 hours south of me….close enough!
Thanks for the inspiration and the information….never knew there was such a thing.
~Robin Redd
I looked up an Urban Sketchers in my area. Closest one is in San Deigo, about 2 hours south of me….close enough!
Thanks for the inspiration and the information….never knew there was such a thing.
~Robin Redd
Love Love Love this technique! Thanks for sharing.
Love Love Love this technique! Thanks for sharing.
Love Love Love this technique! Thanks for sharing.
Love Love Love this technique! Thanks for sharing.
Love Love Love this technique! Thanks for sharing.
Julie, I discovered you on 21 Secrets Live, and have become a huge fan! I love your work, your blog, your website, your tutorials… Thanks for so much inspiration! Oh, and I bought the Scarletlime pens your recommended (LOVE them! Best pens ever!), and while I was shopping I ordered a couple of stencils. Only after they arrived did I realize that one was your design! Anyway, you can now count me among your avid followers. 🙂
Holly
Julie, I discovered you on 21 Secrets Live, and have become a huge fan! I love your work, your blog, your website, your tutorials… Thanks for so much inspiration! Oh, and I bought the Scarletlime pens your recommended (LOVE them! Best pens ever!), and while I was shopping I ordered a couple of stencils. Only after they arrived did I realize that one was your design! Anyway, you can now count me among your avid followers. 🙂
Holly
Julie, I discovered you on 21 Secrets Live, and have become a huge fan! I love your work, your blog, your website, your tutorials… Thanks for so much inspiration! Oh, and I bought the Scarletlime pens your recommended (LOVE them! Best pens ever!), and while I was shopping I ordered a couple of stencils. Only after they arrived did I realize that one was your design! Anyway, you can now count me among your avid followers. 🙂
Holly
Julie, I discovered you on 21 Secrets Live, and have become a huge fan! I love your work, your blog, your website, your tutorials… Thanks for so much inspiration! Oh, and I bought the Scarletlime pens your recommended (LOVE them! Best pens ever!), and while I was shopping I ordered a couple of stencils. Only after they arrived did I realize that one was your design! Anyway, you can now count me among your avid followers. 🙂
Holly
Julie, I discovered you on 21 Secrets Live, and have become a huge fan! I love your work, your blog, your website, your tutorials… Thanks for so much inspiration! Oh, and I bought the Scarletlime pens your recommended (LOVE them! Best pens ever!), and while I was shopping I ordered a couple of stencils. Only after they arrived did I realize that one was your design! Anyway, you can now count me among your avid followers. 🙂
Holly
Fun and energetic drawings – well done!
Fun and energetic drawings – well done!
Fun and energetic drawings – well done!
Fun and energetic drawings – well done!
Fun and energetic drawings – well done!