Lunchtime sketching

This lunchtime I dug out my sketchbook and popped along to Finsbury Square Garden for a spot of people sketching.

The first guy I saw who seemed to be still enough for me to complete a sketch was lying on the grass, enjoying the... well it was cloudy so he wasn't enjoying the sun, but the warmth at least. Unfortunately he kept crossing and uncrossing his legs, so it was tricky to get his legs, right. I'm reasonably happy with the result, though.

Enjoying the lack of sun

Then the next person I picked on was holding a phone to his ear with his shoulder and sitting cross-legged with his back to me. I liked the way that his attempt to hold the phone to his ear contorted his back into an interesting shape. In fact, he looked pretty uncomfortable! I'm not sure I really captured the shape of his back very well, though.

His back doesn't look so contorted here

People were beginning to go back to work by the time I finished that sketch so my choices were getting more limited, but the last person I found was a chap who was propping himself on one elbow and writing. His legs were away from me and hidden from my view by his torso. Unfortunately, that's not quite how the drawing looks; it looks like I simply couldn't be bothered drawing anything below his waist. Also, that thing in front of his hand was a cycle helmet, but he got up and walked away before I had a chance to finish drawing that.

This man did have legs... really... he did!

I've enjoyed my little foray into life drawing this afternoon. In fact I'd quite like to see if there are any life drawing sessions I could join without needing to commit to a ten week class or whatever. If you know of a central or East  London life-drawing drop-in session of some sort, please do let me know!