Meet the correspondents: SHEFFIELD, UK > Lynne Chapman

"I’m Lynne Chapman: born in London but now in Sheffield. I’ve been a freelance illustrator for 20 years, working in pastels, and specialising in children’s books.

My illustration is very different to my sketching though: I illustrate from my imagination, but I fill my sketchbooks with places and people I observe directly, usually standing on a street corner, or sitting on a train (trying in vain to look as inconspicuous as possible!).

I keep these two very separate, so that my sketchbooks remain ‘fun’ and don’t get sucked into ‘work’. Until recently, the sketches have remained hidden away on a shelf, so I’m thrilled to have a chance to share my sketches.

I once took out A3 pads and tins of coloured pencils, but these days I keep to A6 or A5, and use a 3B pencil. I don’t have a stool, so often draw standing: I like the restriction of having to finish before my arms drop off, plus travelling so light means I can be ready to draw on a whim, pretty much anywhere, anytime.

I have never messed with the sketches once I was away from the location, but I've been inspired by Urban Sketchers to try my hand at retrospective colouring, so watch this space…

I will be posting sketches of Sheffield: from around the city and of course on the trains, but I’d also like to share highlights of my various travel sketchbooks, and get them down off that shelf!"

• Lynne's blog.
• Lynne's art on Flickr.
• Lynne's website.