Having a sleeping or otherwise occupied person in reasonably close range is a golden opportunity for sketching. So a train journey is pretty good – the best position is across the aisle, so my subjects are in seats facing the other way. I don’t want to be observed so sometimes have to pretend I’m doing something else, but as soon as they are asleep again or immersed in their laptop, then I can continue. These were done between Stirling and Edinburgh or Glasgow, in my small square sketchbook with a Staedler pigment pen.
anna warren portfolio 
Well done you Anna with your surreptitious sketching , I’m sure these were as quick as quick not wanting as you say to be observed observing 🙂 No 3 has an air of alertness somehow even if sleeping … expecting to see eyes suddenly open and jump 🙂 I bet those sketch books are filling up at a pace …
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I think two and three were aware of me – number two got up at one point and I thought he had left the train, then I found him a few seats away when I got off! I haven’t done too many of these, just when I’m seated in the right place, but it is satisfying to grab a quick likeness. Thanks Louise!
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Yes, always tricky sketching others when on a train or elsewhere. I’ve found on the Tokyo metro that if I draw on my smartphone it’s less obvious than a sketchbook, as most people are plugged into their devices.
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That is a good idea Leonie – and you’re right, everyone else is on their phone too! I’m not mad keen on the actual interface, I still prefer pen and paper, but it certainly is a way of capturing people subtly.
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Yes it’s a different interface. My phone comes with its own stylus which is small and relatively easy to draw with. I ignore all the fancy art programs and just work with the different colour and weight of lines. This is the closest I find to ‘real’ sketching.
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That’s a good idea – I have tried the drawing programs and don’t like them, I find them too fussy. I might try doing the simple drawing, see how I go!
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You’re very brave to do this! I like to scrutinise people using their reflection in the window as I feel less guilty when they catch my eye. Maybe the rail companies should offer a “sketch” service where artists sketch portraits to sell to travellers 🙂
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I’m as careful as I can be, but yes, I feel guilty too if someone catches me, and I stop if I think they are looking annoyed. The window reflection is a great idea Anne, you could be drawing the landscape! I think I will borrow that one … And I do like the idea of a ‘sketch service’ that legitimises it. My husband suggested I offer the first one (man with ponytail) to him as he felt it was a good likeness, but I’m not game to do that!
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I love drawing on trains. On my longer journeys I like to let the jiggle and rhythmic movement of the train influence my drawings of trees and the landscape. Drawing every day keeps me sane.
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The movement of the train adds a new element to the drawing doesn’t it? You end up with lovely unexpected marks, you can’t fight it, so incorporating it is the way to go! I agree about drawing every day, the days I don’t I feel it. Thanks for visiting Valerie!
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We artists are voyeurs really. But all in the best possible taste! 😁
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Of course – but sometimes it would be good to really catch someone unawares being embarrassing. One time my daughter and I were on a train watching a man sleeping on his girlfriends shoulder. We watched in fascination as a dribble emerged from his mouth onto her shoulder … no sketchbook to hand then of course!
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There’s no better way to while away a few hours… I usually do kalligraphy, one shouldn’t think it works out fine. Hehe.
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Yes, sketching people can be a lot of fun, especially trying to disguise what you are doing! I guess you would need quite a smooth journey to do calligraphy!
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Haha…! All a matter of practice! *big smile*
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What do you do when they see you are sketching them?
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I pretend I’m writing a shopping list!
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Hahhaaaaahaa! Don’t believe you, do just flip the page, or turn your eyes to the ceiling as if in thoughts, licking the tip of your pen, leaving your lip all blotchy and messed up? So funny…
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All of the above!
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Got me…!
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Ah no, don’t why I skipped the caption on this one… But you didn’t mention the shopping list, though…=]
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