Guest Post by David Edwards from Toronto, Canada
Starting in February I began sketching people riding on the subway pretty much every day. It developed into creating portraits. There are always new and interesting faces. People wrapped in kerchiefs and scarves; an infinite variety of hats, hair styles, glasses, collars, and new fashions— all add to the already wonderful array of humanity one sees every day on the Toronto subway.
You have only a very short time - the subject may get up at anytime and leave. Other people might block your view.
Many of the people in my sketches appear to be sleeping, and indeed many of them were! The appearance of sleep is usually only an appearance because many are actually focused on phones, playing games or texting, or reading. I see them as in a meditative or even a dream-like state.
The simple act of stepping onto a train can be an exciting experience: one just doesn’t know who or what the experience will serve up for you.
David Edwards is an artist living in Toronto, Canada. He previously lived 10 years in Sweden where he started painting full time. See more on his urban blog or website.
Starting in February I began sketching people riding on the subway pretty much every day. It developed into creating portraits. There are always new and interesting faces. People wrapped in kerchiefs and scarves; an infinite variety of hats, hair styles, glasses, collars, and new fashions— all add to the already wonderful array of humanity one sees every day on the Toronto subway.
All the drawings are done on the spot with very little subsequent editing. I use the eraser very sparingly, if at all. I let the energy of the pencil stroke capture the essential, the quick impression, of an individual with as few strokes as possible. The moving subway car jostles you around. The pencil on paper can be very unsteady.
David Edwards is an artist living in Toronto, Canada. He previously lived 10 years in Sweden where he started painting full time. See more on his urban blog or website.
