Pencil & pad: sketching in Sydney and Brisbane

Posted by Guy Downes on July 22, 2010 under Black & White | Read the First Comment

I’ve set myself a new rule. Wherever business takes me around the country, I’ll endeavour to come home with a couple of new, quick and lively pencil & ink drawings in my sketch book. The catch is that I’m only letting myself spend about 10 – 15 minutes to finish each sketch.

Drawing at speed really means I need to make sure I’m focusing and studying what’s infront of me right there and then. Shapes, perspectives, negative spaces, shadows, dimensions.  It sharpens my sketching skills and brings greater confidence. As I perch on walls, window ledges or at cafe tables with my pencil and pad, it’s amazing to witness life as it rushes past. Meanwhile, I sit, study, look and let my pencil create simple lines across the cartridge paper.

 These are some quick sketches from recent trips to Sydney and Brisbane.