The creator introduces a unique artistic challenge inspired by the new open-gangway NYC subway cars, aiming to draw a continuous sketch of the passengers from one end to the other. He explains his strategic process for selecting subjects based on their stillness and gestures, demonstrating the drawing process in real-time with a Montblanc pen. Finally, he reveals the completed, accordion-style sketchbook, showcasing the final continuous artwork and reflecting on the successful outcome of the project.
Post caption
This summer, I made a series of beginner-friendly drawing tutorials with @montblanc using different parts of NYC to demonstrate different themes. 🖋️ This one from the new G Trains involves an approach that helps me all the time: When drawing people, focus more on the WHO and WHEN than simply the HOW.
It’s tempting to begin rendering right away, especially because people move. But if you slow down and choose a good person to draw—someone with a good pose or strong sense of character—and wait for a good time—a moment when their pose is really illustrative—then your sketch will have a lot more purpose. It will tell more of a story. #sketchbook #drawingtips #urbansketching
Transcript
I saw the New York City subway has new cars that let you see from one side to the other, I thought, what if my subway drawings took a similar format? So this is the G Train sketchbook. The idea is to draw everyone and everything between Church Ave and Court Square as one continuous work of art. Of course, the main challenge is motion, but this is why I'm careful in selecting who to draw. Some people are more still than others, some people have better gestures, and some people have activities that add a level of interest that more than makes up for mistakes. If you combine all of that with a loose pen stroke, you can make some really interesting things. It's where drawings are drawings and not photographs. Working this way over a few back and forth trips, I was able to complete the whole thing, which I think came out better than expected. It's definitely unlike anything I've made before.
