On the journal page in today’s post I’ve done a TV study (verso page) and a watercolor sketch of a man from a 19th Century photo (exaggerating his hair of course; recto page).
But I’d like to call your attention to the top left corner of this spread when I jotted down the best compliment my engineering husband has ever given me. Does he know how to woo or what?
Note conversations with friends and loved ones down! They will make you smile years from now; remind you of your days; and remind you of your connections.
Also comments from passers-by! The one that cracks me up most (and it’s the most frequent): “Did you just draw that now??!” 😆 I guess sketching on location is still a novelty! 😉
Yes, my journals are full of comments from passersby. And some of them are truly humorous (sometimes sad or otherwise). But I do enjoy having them peppered through the pages of my journals.
People making this comment about “did you just draw this?” to us when we are sitting or standing and obviously sketching something in front of use always makes me laugh. I put it down to the questioner’s discomfort at thinking how to start a conversation. So it’s an icebreaker to get you to look up.
But in my snotty youth I often responded with, “No, I was walking along and found this book lying there [point to a likely spot] and I had my watercolors so I decided to finish it…” Of course how sarcastic I was depended on my mood and the person asking. (I’m always nice to children because I want them to draw for their lifetime.) Now I’ve mellowed (depending on whom you ask). I smile, say, “yup,” and keep sketching. I found that this kinder approach on my part has led to their next comment which is usually a kind compliment or serious question. And I’m glad I learned to mellow out. It has resulted in more fun things to write in my journal.