Sketching People Around The World

“A well-executed sketch is much better than a photo for capturing the spirit of a place,” says urban artist Roisin Core. Among her sketches in Ireland, featured in The World of Urban Sketching is a scene at the Fallon & Byrne Wine Bar in Dublin. Here she animates the clothing, faces and wine with bright colors against a neutral gray background.

“I always start with the head, as I’m guaranteed to go wrong if I start anywhere else,” says Core, explaining how she sketches crowds. “A great tip is to start with the person closest to you and you just keep working backwards, always trying to choose the person who looks like they’re not going anywhere for a few minutes.”