Note from a surreptitious artist

A few years ago, before Covid (BC) I decided to stop scrolling and start sketching (a bit more)

I had returned to work after maternity leave (to my ‘proper’ job as a picture editor) and was REALLY enjoying my commute to and from work. 45 minutes of peace, no prams, wet wipes, nappies or rice cakes in my bag- no nippers to look after.

Freedom!

So I got my tiny sketchbook out (just big enough to fit in my handbag) and started drawing commuters on my train journey: the overground train from Chingford to Liverpool Street in London.

I enjoy sitting with a view of the doors so I can get a good look at the people in the carriage.

My mission is to quickly sketch people, without them seeing me. My brother @littlegallery suggested I use the hashtag #amibeingsketched for my instagram posts.

Actually it’s not too difficult to draw people without being noticed, as most people are so engrossed with looking at their phones they don’t even look up.

I managed to fill a few sketchbooks with drawings, I noticed as time went on that I was becoming more confident with my sketches.

Top tips - when drawing someone practise taking a ‘visual photo’ in your mind, as people move around or may be getting off at the next stop, make a quick mental note- for example sunglasses, headphones, spotty shirt & then start to draw. Don’t worry about making your drawing perfect, a couple of dots or lines for eyes is fine.

*Juliet hanging her exhibition in The Signal Box, Highams Park*

After several months I had enough work for a small exhibition in the Highams Park signal box (sadly, now closed) I also produced a limited edition A3 print featuring some of my favourite drawings.

*View from inside The SignaL Box, Highams Park*

Perhaps you are also someone who loves people watching whilst on the train. Do you find it fascinating watching women putting on their make-up during their morning commute? How rare is it to see someone actually reading a book instead of looking at their phone? Do you also like to imagine what jobs people do, what their homes are like, what music they like listening to etc…?

sketches of London commuters — *Framed A3 Print*

So I’ve now added these prints of commuters to my website. There’s only 20 and I won’t be printing any more once they’re gone.

They’re printed onto 325gsm sustainably sourced, textured paper

Buy now

You never know, you might see yourself in one of these… #amibeingsketched

bye for now!

Juliet x

Wow! I can’t believe the summer holidays are almost over.

For those of you with kids- I hope you’ve survived with your sanity intact, and for those without kids, I hope you’ve managed to have a nice relaxing time!

this year we’ve spent a lot of time in our trusty tent. We visited Nethergong campsite in Kent, a lovely quiet campsite with fishing lakes and a large pond teaming with frogs. The children are absolutely mad for pond dipping, so lots of time was spent there, examining frogs, newts and insects.

While in Kent we visited Joss Bay, which was the only seaside spot in the area our eight year old was satisfied with, as it has good waves for body boarding- even I had a go- lots of fun!

I’ve been experimenting with a yellow brush pen and black charcoal pencil in these sketches.

We also visited RHS Hyde Hall, which has a beautiful Australian and New Zealand garden with drought tolerant plants- something we definitely need more of in our own garden.

It also has lots of lovely scented roses- which the five year old is obsessed with- he loves sticking his nose into the blooms!

This week we tried to eke out the last of the summer hols with one last little camping trip, with some pals to the beautiful barefoot camping site in Oxfordshire- here’s a few pages from my sketchbook, illustrating our time there.

Heres a sketch of Jack in the back of the car on the way there..As you can see we travel light

Obligatory marshmallow roasting (don’t worry the fire wasn’t actually that big)

There was a shallow spot nearer to our tent, where the little ones had a go at paddling with the help of the Dads

This is the lock keepers cottage, just across from the site.

We also hired a Kayak and paddled up river to a lovely pub The Mayfly, where we had an amazing Sunday lunch, with live music and lots of people watching opportunities

and finally here’s Jack in a service station. Is it just my kids who love using the word ‘Literally’ every five minutes?

Now I’m sorting out the school uniforms and hoping the kids won’t cry too much on their first day back at school!

I’m back in my day job as a picture editor, but still trying to sketch on my lunch breaks around St Pauls. Here’s a view of my fave lunchtime spot The Reflection Garden.

Hope you have a lovely start to September!

Juliet x

How to draw people quickly

Summer holiday round up