How Sketching Changes You

First pen and ink drawing, a bronze hippo paperweight.

As I've written in a previous post, I am taking an online Sketchbook class through the Craftsy site. I am enjoying it a lot, and similar to my experience in picking up the guitar again, long-ago drawing lessons seem to still be in my memory banks. 

Like any skill, it takes practice. But, I have to say, I'm proud of myself. It's not like I now believe myself to be another Grandma Moses or Aunty Moses. But it's the kind of pride that kids have when they learn how to multiply. It's an achievement, but it's just one skill in a universe of skills. 

What I have noticed in the act of drawing, especially outside, in public, is that my visual sense is heightened. I see interesting people everywhere. I think, wow, he would be neat to draw. You take the moment to look at the beauty, the uniqueness. Even the most mundane things become interesting, like a simple corner in the Henry Street Starbucks. I felt self-conscious drawing the man right in front of me, so I decided to draw the corner instead. Later, I drew these 2 men who were quite far away from me. The top one was painting! (No, I'm not only interested in men as subjects, but that's who was there.) Sorry if it's too light to see. Only a pencil drawing. 
 

Besides having a heightened visual sense and appreciation of what I see, there is something about sketching in public that seems to be changing me. I think it is "drawing" me to go out in public more. I don't know how many of you know that I am really an extreme introvert. I am perfectly happy just doing my own thing at home. But, now sketching in public is calling to me.