2018
My love for art has always been strong, but finding time for painting posed a challenge. This was one of the reasons sketching on the train began.
Each day during my commute to work, I took up sketching on the train. The drawing above is one of my initial sketches, created while being mindful of the people around me. Despite being well-trained in fine arts college and having years of painting experience, sketching on the train amidst fellow passengers presents a completely different challenge.
2022
At that time, avid sketching was not the main focus, as painting took precedence. Train journeys were infrequent, but my sketching continued with a small sketchbook and pencil always in hand during commutes.
By the end of 2022, the sketches had improved significantly. It no longer took much effort to complete a human figure. Applying colors was not considered, as it seemed impossible during the train ride.
Oct 2022
Initially, sketches were colored at home. I got an idea and carried a small watercolor palette filled with colors, a tiny continer for water, and a cheap brush.
With help of other urban sketchers I came to know about water brush and other sketching gadgets.
Now I have started using bigger sketchnotes, A4 size. The sketch is made directly with pen. After sketching, colors are applied with a small palette I carry.
Tips for Sketching on the Train
- Overcome Inhibition: Let go of any hesitation about sketching in public. Many urban sketcher friends often ask if sketching in public is comfortable. Sometimes, it helps to be a bit resilient and focus solely on your sketching. Starting with simple subjects, like shoes or hands, and gradually moving on to sketching entire human figures can boost confidence.
- Stay Positive: If you’re sketching for the first time, don’t get discouraged by the initial results. Instead, compare your first few sketches to your 50th or 100th one to see your progress.
- Mindfulness of Others: Be mindful of fellow passengers. Some might feel embarrassed when they realize they’re being sketched. Often, it’s best to sketch passengers who are seated a bit further away or those who are napping.
- Equip Yourself: I carry a self-made tiny palette with essential colors like skin tone (shell pink), yellow, red, blue, brown, and green (the latter two are optional). These colors can be quickly mixed, especially since office employees often wear black (a mix of Prussian blue and burnt sienna with red). A waterbrush is also handy for quick use.