Artists

company asking for a global campaign. Thankfully,I have agents representing me for this. But yes, there is away to make a living from sketching.``````How do you choose the resolution of your online images?It’s a big part of my self-promotion to show my drawingsonline, such as on my blog, on Facebook, or Instagram.I have had many projects come from these platforms, andit’s a risk to assume that people can steal it from the web.I try to not upload bigger files than 820 pixels wide, whichmeans it is pixelated if printed.``````What creative exercises can help improve my work?I recommend blind contour drawing: sketching peoplewithout looking at your sketchbook. It’s good to forgetabout making a nice looking drawing and to focus more onthe observation. Observation and understanding what yousee is the key. Sketching ‘well’ will come with practice.``````Which other urban sketchers would you recommend?I have met plenty of very gifted urban sketchers over thelast eight years. That would be an endless list if I wanted tomention all of them. However, I would recommend somegood friends from Barcelona I used to sketch with: MiguelHerranz, Sagar Forniès, Pierre Amoudry, Swasky, Santi orLluïsot, and some more exotic ones: Marina Grechanik,Nina Johansson, Veronica Lawlor and Joao Catarino.``````How long should I spend on a sketch?There is no rule about how long you have to spend on asubject. I usually spend 15 to 20 minutes on a portrait(people get bored if it takes longer) and up to two hours fora big panorama (I get bored after two hours). Keep it freshand spontaneous, and don’t overwork your sketches.Lapin’s book of sketches, Paris, je t’aime: An UrbanSketchbook, Promopress, £15.99, is out this July.http://www.lesillustrationsdelapin.com``````LEFT Dinghiescoming in, oil onboard, 25x30cmRIGHT Verona,oil on board,23x30cm``````How do I capture the essence of a city?It’s a big deal to capture the essence of acity, especially Paris. Everybody knows it, andit’s impossible to get an exhaustive vision of‘The City of Light’. My method is to tell myown story through drawings of the placeswhere I’ve lived, worked, had beers withfriends, and to capture part of these goodmemories in my drawings. I include a varietyof subjects: portraits, architecture,panoramas and small details. The soundtrackof the city is also key. I’m used to quoting thepeople around me while sketching.``````ABOVELe Bazar de l‘Hôtelde Ville, inkpen,watercolour andcolour pencils,21x15cmArtists & Illustrators 6765 Your Questions.indd 67 08/06/2016 12:16