Sketching people: Life drawing basics

The sketchbook is a perfect medium to improve your drawing ability because its portability allows you to draw anywhere and at any time with interesting subjects everywhere you are. The basic principles of drawing are the same no matter where you’re working. Principles of line, form, shade, color and composition don’t change. However, because you don’t have control over your subjects outside of the studio environment, you will have to sharpen certain skills that are otherwise easily downplayed. For example, you cannot dictate how long a couple in an airport holds an embrace, and you’ll have to capture their gesture very quickly or from memory. In contrast, while working from a model or a photograph, you might be tempted to skip the critical gesture phase and jump straight to copying contours and shapes. Drawing from life sharpens your skill because it requires a true understanding of the fundamentals of drawing.