Reading

Two people, engrossed in their books.

Seeing as it is World Book Night.

Took part in this several years ago. Was a book giver. Harder than you think to give away 50 books.

Still have a few copies of 'Love in the time of cholera" floating around if anyone is interested. Might take them out and give them away later today.

TWO ON THE TRAIN

Nothing really to say about these two. Just sketched them on the way into town the other day.

Like them, but nothing more.

Read all about it

(... a sentence that always used to always be said in a broad street news-seller type accent, but has now been usurped by Emeli Sande's version of it...)

Book 'em Danno

Rounding up the usual suspects.

A few loose sketches from the past few weeks.

Pondering.

How deep is this guy thinking about things ?

Or does he just have an itchy nose ?

More news.

However you get it.

By the web...

Or by print.

Lip

This girl was a joy to sketch.

She was totally focused on her computer, her hand only occasionally moving to scroll down, or nibble small morsels of a prawn sandwich.

The rest of the time she sat, transfixed, tugging her bottom lip out again and again, pinching it's fullness into a little cleft bud before just, just, letting it escape back.

And, as I write that, I am stuck how irredeemably pervy I am sounding.

I will go now.

2 readers

I don't really have time to do this, but I wanted one last post for september so...

Drew this guy's foot way too big, have scaled it back a bit in photoshop, but it shows at the ankle.

Like the symmetry of hair and bag.

Brown is a colour, an ex-prime-minister, and a decent bar.

Was in BROWNS in Coventry the other day, for a meeting. Sketched the patrons as I waited for my folk to turn up.

Early morning phone checks...

 

...reading papers...

... chatting....

....and general mooching.

The meeting went very well, and involved, amongst other things, PVC cows, an ultraviolet seahorse, hairy organza, and how small a box you could fit a 4' 11' woman into.

( Hairy organza. A name like that deserves it's  own series on Cbeebies. )

Another avid reader.

You can't beat a good story for making the journey home go faster.

Time spent with fictitious people is never wasted.

On the 17.28 to Bedford last night.

A good read

A young woman, on the train, totally engrossed in her book.

What was she reading ? Marilyn French ?  Sophie Kinsella ? Harry Potter ? Sven Hassel ?

No, it was the Bible. I don't know why I was surprised by that.

The scarf you see, the scarf.

Concentration

This guy was deep in reading a printout, his earnest focus in contrast to his summery day-out clothes.

He turned the papers over, started back at the beginning again, maybe this time it would stick, or make sense, or come together.

But the sun blazed outside, and those sandals had a higher purpose.

More they lied.

Two more sketches of the couple from yesterday.

I think this is a better one of the bloke, doesn't make him look quite so old.

And I love how the fingers in the guide book she was reading worked out here.

It was the Lonely Planet guide to Cuba. EVERYONE seemed to have a copy. 

No wonder our paths crossed twice in one day.

Simple

Just a few lines today.

A pinch and a punch

First of the month.

The subject was...

Earls Court. Wednesday.

That is one hefty book to take out with you on your commute.

I think (hope) it was essential reading for her latest thesis publication.

Look and you will see. ( or maybe not )

So what do I see the very next day ? Someone reading a Kindle on the train.

So had to add her to the collection.

Then two Tourists stood in between me and the reader. And usually I just let it go when this happens, and move on to someone I can see. But this was a KINDLE READER. So I made it clear I was sketching the person they were blocking, with an apologetic smile and much twisting of my head to see round them. 

I couldn't have been more obvious.

They just scowled at me, and proceeded to unfurl copious maps and guide books, blocking my view even more.

I know when I am defeated.

So sketch not very good.

And that is my excuse.

3 Train readers

Three people not really there. Their bodies might be lurching to the vagaries of the brakes and rails of the 09.47 to Sutton,  but their minds are tracking murderers, or falling for the wrong guy, or unravelling the mysteries of medieval France, or....

And BOOKS mind you. not those nasty Kindle things. Not yet seen a Kindle reader on a train.

Kindle to me brings to mind kindling. Odd choice for a name. Book burning being frowned upon as it is.

Solid - 361

No arguing with this guy.

Folded specs.

I like it when people are absorbed by reading as they hold reasonably still, and, more importantly, keep their heads in roughly the same place long enough to draw them properly.

This girl was reading a very dense text book of unfathomableness to me. ( I once tried to read a book on tree theory - I liked the title - and, honestly, struggled to get beyond the first sentence ) So I could have done her in oils for all the signs she showed of moving.