Drawing in public makes my heart beat faster, even after years of practice. If you’re more introverted, sketching while surrounded by strangers can feel wildly uncomfortable!

This week I’m sharing some words from Nishant Jain, who has turned the act of low-key sketching into an art form. In his new book, Make (Sneaky) Art, he shares wisdom gained through years of maintaining a sketchbook habit.

Travel sketching

“Carry a smaller sketchbook — something that fits in the palm of your hand can be good to capture moments quickly when on the move.”

Finishing drawings

There is a dopamine hit waiting at the end of every page, and turning the page is a gift we get to give ourselves.

And my personal favorite:

How would life change if, whenever you had a free moment, you reached for a tiny sketchbook instead of your phone?

Nishant’s workshops and writing have helped me redefine location drawing in a way that suits me. Make (Sneaky) Art is filled with stories, art, and advice that inspires us to put pencils to paper, even if it’s only for five minutes.

Order Make (Sneaky) Art

📚 You can also catch him on the Make (Sneaky) Art book tour, where he’s doing demos, sketchwalks, and secret giveaways!

My last trip to New York last week was different. ’s brilliant new book Draw Your Adventures, helped me transform my nervous energy into excitement.

As I sketched this picture of our cat Merv, my breathing slowed and mind mellowed. That's when I realized feelings before a trip are an important part of the journey.

Sketching kept me calm in one of the world’s busiest airports…

During the flight…

…and awaiting a car.

Coming home

Merv forgets who we are when we come back from traveling. Eric sent me a video of a first interaction after he decided he trusted us again. I had to draw it!

I love how Sam’s books remind us there’s adventure in everyday life, and you don’t have to travel to exotic destinations to draw something beautiful.

Next week I’ll share art, photos, and takeaways from the trip!

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For many artists, the scariest part of sketching in public is strangers peering over their shoulders to sneak a peek at the art. It made me uncomfortable when I first started, so I’d plop myself in dark corners to make myself inconspicuous. Despite my best efforts to be invisible, curious folks still found and interrupted me!

One of these three things usually happens:

• They say something nice about what I’m drawing.

• They take a sneaky peek and keep moving.

• Occasionally they’ll ask to see more of my work.

  

While it’s not my favorite, I’ve shifted my thinking about curious onlookers. Instead of viewing them as as “personal space invaders,” I’ve started to welcome human interactions as part of the experience.

It’s natural to feel self conscious, like you’re on display. You may even worry that folks will see your work and think it’s bad. They’ll likely think it’s great, but you’re not doing it for them. It’s for you!

Think about all the art you’ve on social media, where you’re actively trying to reach people. If a stranger sees your work in real life, then moves on with their day, it’s not a big deal. It’s not much different from someone scrolling past on Instagram, right?

If you’re still uncomfortable with the idea strangers taking a glance, that’s valid and okay! Zoom drawing sessions are a space for creative explorations without pressure to speak or show your work. We’ve got one more this month and I can’t wait!

Prompt:

• Go out and draw!

• If you’re already comfy practicing in public, try sitting somewhere new.

• If drawing on location isn’t accessible to you, join a live session on Zoom!

In the video:

I paint the zine pictured above at the park, complete with an interruption from a stranger who teaches me a fun new way to interact with the goats!

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First things first

Get your hand moving by drawing as you walk. I do this by drawing trees as I move around the habitats, then adding animals later. This helps me focus on fun and learning instead of accuracy.

Wander around

Just draw whatever interests you instead of trying to make a pretty illustration. I’m a big fan of starting lots of drawings and finishing them later, like in the video here and this one. I rarely ever finish a drawing on location, and you don’t have to either.

Here’s what I sketched on location:

I snapped this photo to show you, and because they’re just so majestic!

The fun continued at home, which you can watch in the video!

Scouting a location

Instead of obscuring myself, I approach exhibits like 4-year-old Beth probably would. I want the best view! When I see an interesting gorilla interaction or fun tiger pose, I quickly sketch it and move on so others can enjoy them too.

Now that spring has sprung, my treasured zoo drawing dates will be filled with herds of humans. A mass of noisy people surrounding you when you’re trying to draw a hippo can be overwhelming, but embracing that discomfort will grow your confidence!

If you’re uneasy about strangers possibly seeing your work, have a few reactions at the ready:

• “This work is top secret.”

• Pretend not to hear them.

• Smile, nod, and keep drawing.

• If you’re feeling up to it, show them!

More good news

Take comfort in the fact that people usually don’t notice at all! They’re busy looking at animals, their kids, or their phones. Lots of folks might think you’re a staff member taking notes. A lady asked me where the nearest bathroom was last week!

Materials & Mentions

• Inside my ugly drawing bag - what I took to the zoo all last summer.

• Acrylic marker video - my favorite markers and swatching all sorts of different brands.

• Drawing Out and About - drawing at the Memphis Humane Society.

• How to Draw a Gorilla Portrait - excellent advice on approaching and approaching apes by

• Airtight gouache palette - keeps colors fresher longer.

• Holbein Gouache Marigold - my new favorite yellow.

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Let’s chat!

1. What do you love/not love about drawing in public?

2. What are your favorite subjects and materials for drawing on location?

3. How often do you go out to draw?

4. Where should I go to draw next?

Leave a comment

The arrival of the meal is the perfect stopping point. That hook (or something to pull you away from your sketch) encourages quickness. It’s likely why I always do the best work in a waiting room. Maybe I should plan all my doctor and vet visits around book deadlines!

My excitement over working this way began last summer at the animal clinic. Our beloved senior pets need a lot of routine maintenance. The drawing ends when we get called back to see the vet or pay the bill. I made a whole post about it here and below.

I always left the clinic with barely finished sketches that were devilishly wonky, and I couldn’t have ruined them even if I wanted to. Their wild inaccuracy lets me be free and fearless when finishing them from my imagination.

Having half-finished pages of energetic marks to return to makes me happy. I never have to worry about a blank page or how I’ll fill it. It takes me back to the moment when I started the sketch, which was usually a pretty joyful place.

Prompt

Draw at dinner time! There are infinite ways to interpret this one.

• You could sketch the ingredients of your meal

• Take your sketchbook on a dinner date

• Sketch your cat before, during, and after mealtime, which could make a fun sequence of images!

• Draw in our restaurants replay, with the wonderful Nathalia Velásquez cohosting!

Not sure where to begin?

Note what is most eye-catching or interesting to you. Something you see in the other room? Texture of the food? The shape of a glass? Start there and branch out!

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When you develop a habit of drawing real life, you'll notice subtle nuances that give your work character and life, like how humans hold their heads or use their hands to communicate.

Why bring a sketchbook everywhere?

• You'll create work that's unique to you. Art inspired by your world is essential for developing your creative voice.

• It's FUN. The spontaneity of not knowing who you'll see, what you'll overhear, and how subjects will behave is exhilarating!

• Cultivate a healthy habit. Reaching for a pad of paper instead of an electronic device is better for mental health. 

"Break one of your bad habits today. Which one? The habit of not sketching." - Walt Stanchfield.

In the video for paid members, I demo materials I take to draw some fast-moving, trouble-making kittens from inside a conference room at the Humane Society. I also share a few of my favorite resources that have helped me cultivate confidence in practicing in public.

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I even considered getting a folding chair and wagon to haul everything. I decided that might be too wild, even for the zoo.

Lately I've been taking fewer supplies, inspired by the 3 Materials Challenge. I talk about that a bit more here.

I love limiting my palette and mixing materials to squeeze every inch of color I can from them.

I searched the Internet high and low for a small bag to suit my minimalistic needs and organize my instruments. While waiting for the art shop to open (I know), I stopped at Urban Outfitters and found this ugly thing that is perfect!

Meet my ugly drawing bag.

It opens wide like a crocodile's jaws so I can see everything inside, similar to a pencil roll.

Here’s what I pack lately:

The Bag: It comes in Olive Green and black

Ecoline Brush Pen: Pink Beige, Cool Grey (quick color blocking)

Tombow Brush Pen: 553 (perfect for color blocking my favorite 'mates, the wonderful silverback gorillas)

Posca Paint Markers: Light Orange (color blocking orangutans and the small monkeys I love to warm up with), Straw Yellow (usually over blue Neocolor for grassy areas), Gold (makes nice greens)

Derwent Inktense Pencils: Madder Brown, Sepia Ink, Neutral Grey, Baked Earth, Shiraz, Iron Blue

Caran D’ache Supracolors: Green Ochre, Blue Jeans, Light Ochre (usually my grass colors)

Neocolor ii: Salmon, Malachite Green, Golden Ochre, Jade, Sky Blue

What kinds of things do you put in your dream drawing bag?

Prompt

Dump your drawing bag out and swatch it! Too many duplicates? Put them back!

✏️ Have you RSVP’d to the upcoming Drawing Sessions?

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