Meet the correspondents: SAN FRANCISCO > Marc Holmes

"I’m a concept artist in the film industry, currently living in Marin, Calif., just across the bay from San Francisco.

I’m kind of a late-starter as an artist; finally becoming a full time artist at age 40. Part of my method of self-re-training has been obsessive daily sketching – either from the model, from imagination, or by placing myself in exotic locales. After a few years of inveterate sketching I think it’s become a lifestyle.

I have a short attention span, so sketching and designing has always been my ideal form of expression. For me, the artist’s gestural line carries a lot of feeling that can be lost in protracted work. I started keeping sketchbooks while traveling, as a way of recording my experiences in foreign cities, while simultaneously calming my fidgity attention. Sketching actually lets me slow down and pay attention to things. It’s probably gotten a bit out of hand — often, I won’t even stop drawing during a conversation with friends… oh well! What can you do?!

Fortunately, work has taken me to San Francisco — a beautiful city full of baroque architectural detail. Every day in this city is like a holiday — everything I love about travel and sketching is right here where I live!"

• Marc's Citizen Sketcher blog.
• Marc's art blog.
• Marc's art on Flickr.