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shops are the best place to start. You have time to study people at the
other tables without being too obvious. Every artist has his or her own
style of rendering these sketches from life. I have two preferences
when it comes to sketching. The first is the “continuous line” method,
where you do not have the luxury of time and can copy precisely what
is in front of you. The continuous line method is quick and somewhat
inaccurate, but the main focus is on suggesting the scene before you.
Above “The Barber Shop” is a sketch I did in less than 30 seconds as
I sat waiting for my turn.
The other method is a bit more detailed, but still adding just the most
necessary information to capture a facial expression - ideal for coffee
shops. An example is “Girl with the hat” to the right.
Adding colour with ink or watercolour to your sketches is also an
option. These sketches should not become a watercolour painting,
but in essence should remain a sketch. The colour should only hint
at the real colours of the subject and should not be restricted to the
lines. An example is the sketch below: “Bo Kaap in colour”.