People looking over your shoulder as you draw

[Sphyzex_9]

So sometimes when I draw in public places on ocasion people will creep up behind me and look at whatever I'm drawing. This annoys the hell out of me. I know they're showing interest which is nice, but it's really annoying when someone just walks up and stands over my shoulder uninvited. So a few days ago I was drawing nude women doing some (ahem) provacticve things, I'm not really around anybody, and then this woman creeps up behind me to see what I'm drawing and she gets angry at me, starts yelling, and is like "That's awful! Why would you draw that? Why don't you draw something decent?" I'm like what the hell? I never planned for you to just stand behind me and stare. Go away.

Ugh...

[Jovian M]

People do it at school a lot. I get a lot of unnecessary ass pats, get told I'm 'talented', etc.

I know they don't know any better, but I get pretty rattled and just quit whatever I'm working on.

[Randis]

Why do you draw nudes in public?

[Wyna]

I get a bit thrown off when people do it. At a school, it's a little easier to take but out in the general public? Can't say I like it.

I don't mind people showing interest, it's just a little distracting though. Also I suddenly get self-conscious.

[PieterV]

You did tell her to fuck off did you?

[TASmith]

that's awesome. You should've drawn something truly horrendous like a fly headed man eating babies. She'll never bother another artist again.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if this is why so many people shy away when they see me painting/drawing outside. All I'm doing is landscapes, but some people react as if it were a fly headed man eating babies...

[Irishdrunk]

Haha, you should have started to draw that woman!

[Straight Edge Ryan]

It doesn't really both me, except when they stay for too long. A quick "oh what are you drawing?" glance is fine but after a while it just makes you feel uncomfortable about making any mistakes.

Also I hate people that feel the need to give me advice on how to "improve" what I'm drawing. Perfect example: the other day I was sketching this scene for a school project of a dude fighting a zombie and one of the dudes in my class was like "dude you should like draw the guy with the gun with like this huge armor with spikes and stuff and have like a bunch of blood on the zombie and having him go all 'raaaaargh!' and stuff and like holding a severed head or something" to which I reply "heh yeah maybe" all the while thinking "what are you fuckin' twelve?"

As for the woman, you should have drawn her on top of a huge pedestal looking down on people since apparently that's how she views herself

[Sebastard]

No way :P. Should have turned and scrawled her bending over, naked or somesuch :P.

Nah, i don't draw anything provocative in public, really. Faces, gestures and drawing contours of people around me usually is what i draw in public in my traveling sketchbook. But then again, i have trouble truly focusing if i'm not in my haven with proper stimuli.

[Troubadour]

you can always just 'not' draw in public....-_-

[Crass]

I don't like it when people do that either, I think it's pretty rude. If they are interested in art and want to see I'd prefer if they asked to see, or asked if they could watch as I draw. It's a little like standing behind someone who is writing a letter or a diary and reading along, it's bad etiquette. A sketchbook is something personal, what goes in there isn't necessarily the kind of art that is for display, and I don't just mean subject wise.

[Keeviin]

Why do you draw nudes in public?

I was wondering about that too.

Nudist beach?

[Falchion]

And you see, this is why it's great to be a New Yorker. Nobody ever bothers me on the bus while I'm sketching, despite what I usually wind up doodling: nudes, guro, overly graphic 'War is Hell' imagery, and stuff like that.

[OmenSpirits]

Bothers me. I stop, pencil hovering above the paper, turn my head and look at them...waiting.

It only DOESN'T bother me, if the girl is hot. :yayca:

[Noah Bradley]

A polite "thank you" and I keep drawing. Occasionally I'll smile or nod at their comments, but I try to keep working regardless. They usually don't linger long.

[Samsa]

Oh man, this really tends to irritate me. I don't draw in public, but if I'm at home or in school, people see me drawing and just have to come over and invade my personal space. If they asked first I wouldn't mind as much, but I just find it extremely rude.

Most of the time I just stay away from others when I'm drawing. If I'm stuck in class or something, I cover as much of my sketchbook as possible, either with my hands or another piece of paper. Most people seem to get the message from that alone.

[xinranliu]

don't give a fuck
i learned this from a friend

[Ian Miles]

Not only drawing is a very solitude process. Artist need solitude to reach their optimal solitudeness. :nerd:

[BriAppleTree]

Why do you draw nudes in public?

The better question is why not draw nudes in public?

I draw wherever I feel like. And if you're drawing in public you have to expect people to come up and see what you're doing because people are curious and want to see if you suck or not.

[KarylGilbertson]

you should've just turned a new page, and drawn a big cock and balls. That'd learn her.

[Muz]

I enjoy people watching me draw.... strange i know.

should'a seen this guys expression when he glanced down and saw my cockfish... Got to love double takes.

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/collecting_double_takes.png


EDIT: i should probably clarify that my cock fish was a drawing of a cod fish with a rather interesting head :D.

[.pc]

you can always just 'not' draw in public....-_-

i don't think that is quite possible. :D

[TASmith]

"you can always just 'not' draw in public....-_-"

No man, drawing in public's an adventure. It should just be seen as such. Expect to get glances and interest, and use it to make stories. The story you brought at the start of this thread had potential to be really great. You just needed that one snappy zinger to teach that lady a lesson, or at least give it a punch line. Like looking up at her, smiling, and saying, "HA! Made ya look!"

[•Lindsay•]

Does this mean I'm the only one who likes drawing related attention? Sometimes I even like the stupid comments. Like the other day some stranger said my dragon looked like a "mouse." I told her it was a dragon, and she said it was "trying to be a dragon but inside there's a baby mouse trying to get out." Yeah, that was stupid. But you know, someone looked at my drawing and was interested enough to come up with a nonsensical story about it, and I like that. I talked to her and she told me about her sister who was an artist and who went to the same school I went to, and if I had just ignored her comment I wouldn't have gotten that story.

[Dizon]

When I sketch outside I usually like to look for a place to sit down like a bench or a chair with a table. You won't attract a lot of attention and you can just mind your own beeswax. People will think you're just jotting down some notes or reading.

[Troubadour]

"you can always just 'not' draw in public....-_-"

No man, drawing in public's an adventure. It should just be seen as such. Expect to get glances and interest, and use it to make stories. The story you brought at the start of this thread had potential to be really great. You just needed that one snappy zinger to teach that lady a lesson, or at least give it a punch line. Like looking up at her, smiling, and saying, "HA! Made ya look!"

i enjoy drawing in public, but if you're gunna sit and complain about people doing that kind of thing you 'do' have a choice here.

I'm with Xinranliu on this.

[Kamber Parrk]

Spectator's build character!

One of the greatest ego smacks I ever got was from a very sincere spectator who spoke up, over my shoulder, and said:

"You know, there's this woman, Betty Edwards, who wrote this book called 'Drawing On the Right Side Of the Brain'. . ."

[TASmith]

"i enjoy drawing in public, but if you're gunna sit and complain about people doing that kind of thing you 'do' have a choice here. I'm with Xinranliu on this."

Well, obviously there's a choice, but it sounded to me like you were implying it's not a good idea to draw in public, because, god forbid, it draws attention to yourself.

I think drawing outside in public is a must for learning and I don't give a rats ass if people watch, so I'm with Xin too. From what you first wrote, it seemd like you weren't with Xin. Now I'm confused...

And I got names mixed up so I had to edit this post...

[bjoern3000]

When someone is wathcing over my shoulder I start a conversation about what I´m doing and why I´m doing this and that, why that line has to be here and that shade has to be there, and that it´s alway about correcting mistakes and so on.

The people get interested in my interest in art and feel the fascination of it.

Feels good.

[Hookswords]

I used to shut down when this happened. I'd get really pissed and just stop what I was doing and not move until said person left. Some manner of performance anxiety or stage fright or something. Now I could care less. It is interesting that people take interest in what you're doing and often have interesting things to say. Sphyzex_9, if you insist on drawing women masturbating in public you should expect some backlash. Turn it into a social experiment. Toy with people to see what their reactions are. There is no reason that drawing tentacle porn at Starbucks cant be fun for everyone.

[Dorkthrone]

I don't really care too much. Yes, I have gotten a couple of "Oh my god, that's so indecent! Why are you even drawing that?" responses to a figure I hadn't even come up with a costume for. Those are annoying, especially since no one really says anything about the Lovecraftian horrors on the same page.

But overall, it's interesting to them. The "Oh my god, you're so talented!" attitude is a little annoying too, but I'm pretty sure they don't know any better.

[jedininjaman]

the mortals have nothing better to do, I say lay off.
imagine what it would feel like to be one of them -living such a pitiful existence and all.
A little fan-fare never hurt any amateur artist to my count.
Or
you could just do what i did and augment your clipboard to produce a loud flatuation like noise

[Straight Edge Ryan]

this whole discussion brings another question to mind, why do we get annoyed when people praise us?

[OmenSpirits]

this whole discussion brings another question to mind, why do we get annoyed when people praise us?
'Cuse we's overly sensitive little bitches that think their work is shit and for someone to praise shit just encourages the shitty-ness of our shit with their shit taste that was developed by the shit they see way too often.

:D :yayca:

[Psychotime]

Eh. No one ever bothers me.

[Straight Edge Ryan]

'Cuse we's overly sensitive little bitches that think their work is shit and for someone to praise shit just encourages the shitty-ness of our shit with their shit taste that was developed by the shit the see way too often.

:D :yayca:

there's a "yo dawg I heard.." image to be made out of that somehow

[jcpahl]

Yo dawg I heard you like to draw shit so we praised your shit so you can feel like shit while you draw shit.

?

[.pc]

i can say i draw in public pretty often. Sometimes the occasional random person (but never a cute girl) comes by and 'omg you are so good, are you a manga artist?' and piss the hell out of me. But,i never gotten any of this 'why are you drawing this indecency' nonsense, maybe i'm not drawing indecently enough

heh i think im going to try and see.

[BlightedArt]

Tell her, her anger and passion is inspiring, then ask her to model for you.

[Qitsune]

When you work in a studio with other people, you will have someone watching you work pretty often. Granted, it's not strangers off the street, but sometimes it's a programer or a designer, your boss or an HR person. You get desensitised quite fast to the fact of being watched.

At one point I was working in a courrier company and I was copying skulls off an anatomy book, one of the salesperson commented that it was morbid to draw skulls. My answer:" why? Everyone I know has one"

But otherwise I never had bad comments from laypeople, from drawing on the subway or in parcs, I mostly have girls giggling when they notice I'm drawing someone at the other end of the subway section.

I'm not sure how I'd respond if someone was harrassing me about my stuff being indecent. My being short fused, I'm afraid I'd be mean enough they'd leave in tears.

[Vatsel]

Yo dawg I heard you like to draw shit so we praised your shit so you can feel like shit while you draw shit.

?

you forgot xzibit

[Vincent72]

I used to shut down when this happened. I'd get really pissed and just stop what I was doing and not move until said person left. Some manner of performance anxiety or stage fright or something. Now I could care less. It is interesting that people take interest in what you're doing and often have interesting things to say. Sphyzex_9, if you insist on drawing women masturbating in public you should expect some backlash. Turn it into a social experiment. Toy with people to see what their reactions are. There is no reason that drawing tentacle porn at Starbucks cant be fun for everyone.

Not sure if Sphyzex_9 actually drew as most the work I've seen posted is either mine lifted from my blog or cartoonists work that I recognize.
Either way he seems to have shaken off this life as we know it and moved on.
But living or dead he was a fraud.
Sorry to sound harsh but the guy was a freak, a stalker, and a thief.

[ArtZealot]

Just get some headphones, turn the music up, and ignore the shit out of them. I used to go to the zoo and get bothered alot, then i got headphones, and started flat out ignoring them. Occasionally you'll get someone extremely rude who taps you on the shoulder, or gets right in your face, but thats the only time you would really need to say anything. Even at that, if you are adamant about ignoring them, they're likely to think you dont speak their language or have some sort of hearing or speech disorder most likely and eventually just give up and walk away.

[crossmirage]

Print some shock images and stick them in your sketchbook somewhere for the express purpose of scaring nosy people off.

I recommend the classic goatse and tubgirl.

[PxelSlayer]

Simple, really - if catch you looking at me while I draw, I`ll find another way to get creative with my pencils. Your eyeballs included.

Once I`m done - diss and crit the heck out of it, but as long as I`m holding my pencil - stay away!










:geekg:

[Peter Coene]

this whole discussion brings another question to mind, why do we get annoyed when people praise us?

Well, its not the praise that bothers me, but that the praise seems rather out of place. I don't go up to a mason and talk about how I love the way that he lays the bricks, nor do I comment on how the janitor did such a lovely job of cleaning the toilets, and I'd be willing to bet that they could use the kind words and attention a lot more than me.

Its just that art is popular in its own way, so those who don't do it feel they need to comment because in the slightest way it makes them feel connected to it, even if in the smallest way of having seen someone draw and commenting.

In the end, I don't really think its the praise that bothers us so much but just the attention. We just wanted to draw and here comes someone that feels like they need to talk up a storm.

In my opinion a quick compliment is rather nice. Also a few suggestions, especially from those who know what they're talking about, are great. I just don't feel like hearing about stuff like how someone's cousin's ex-wife's uncle's runtified step-spawn is so good at art and they're only so-many-years old. Another pain in the posterior is the typical "I wish I was artistic, but I couldn't draw a stick figure to save my life!" which is just bothersome because it becomes obvious that the person is saying it because they are saying it to try and get attention in return, when you are trying to give your undivided attention to your work. Then there are the lines of questions, some more annoying than others, including, but not limited to "how long have you been drawing?" "What are your favorite things to draw?" "Have you ever been in those classes where they have naked people?"

Then there's the one that always kind of weirds me out: "Have you ever considered becoming a professional artist?"

[Kamber Parrk]

In the United States, art education at the elementary school level is pretty sad. So, most people, as adults, without personal inclination, never get beyond lolly-pop trees and happy-face people with rectangular bodies (and "M" birds in the sky).

Thus, in the States, it's not hard to impress people with a modest display of skill.

Problem is: psychologically, they can pull you down to their level pretty damn quick!

[Krato]

who cares what they think, your studies are more important then there opinions.

[NanoBlack]

I know what you mean... for me, it's usually this.

I'm sitting quietly (in class, in a public venue- wherever there are ppl i know), and then someone will come up, say "oooh, that's pretty" or "wow, amazing" (never got why- i suck) and then you feel obliged to sit and have a chat, cause they look like that's possibly what they want to do. U also feel conscious of your art and your skill, and people don't realize just how awkward an artist feels when they watch you draw. You cant truly emote. So it would be better if they just took a glance, made a satisfied grunt or whatever, then left you alone or just STOPPED LOOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They always praise you. WE DONT NEED PRAISE FROM THE UNEDUCATED!!!!!!! WE NEED CRIT FROM FELLOW ARTISTS WHO KNOW WHEN TO PRAISE AND WHEN TO ADVISE!!! And people wonder why i now sit in a corner and sketch, or away from people. They say i'm too modest. I'm not modest- I just dont like ppl looking over my shoulder.

[Dorkthrone]

Someone actually gave me some pretty good commentary on one of my sketches a day or two ago when I was at the bookstore. Like they actually gave reasons as to why they liked the drawing.

I thought that was kind of cool.

[Bill]

When I would draw at the zoo I was always happy when someone would show enough interest to ask if their kids could see my drawings.

At the fair I had a 12 year old tell me that she "admired my ability" and that I had permission to draw her duck. Made my day.

My personal favorites though, are the 50% who feel the need to let me though that they have a cousin who is *Really* good. The flip side to that scenario is my close friend's wife who I'd known for 10 years. For a baby gift I buy them a few children's books including 'Teusday' by David Weisner. That's when, after 10 years of knowing I'm trying to get a job in illustration, she let's me know that the 2 time Caldecott winner is her uncle. She's an accountant, I dunno.

[Crash]

That doesnt really bother me, but something that annoys me beyond everything is when someone start guessing what im drawing.

I draw a line and i hear someone say "a snake! its a snake?".
Then i draw a second line and i hear "what is it? why are you drawing that?"

[Nerahla]

I wonder why people think the boundaries of social interaction fall to the wayside because we're drawing. If I was writing a letter, NO ONE would come up behind me and ask to see, or peek or anything. But because we're drawing people seem to think it's their right to invade your personal space.

I happen to think that's beyond fucking rude of people to assume that.

That being said, I don't care if I am purposefully outside somewhere sketching, because you know the mouth breathers are gonna come ogle. So why go outside and sketch if you can't handle it?

Actually what bothers me more is when I'm painting at my computer and invariably my husband or one of my kids comes up to look RIGHT at the ugly phase. They get this 'look' on their face and.... fleh... my urge to continue just deflates. I've started putting my studio off limits for small periods of time. Heh.

[Kaileighblue]

That's the main reason most of my people are drawn with the anatomy of Ken and Barbie now. People looking over my shoulders telling me I was drawing porn. Granted, they were immature male high school students trying to annoy me.. so I guess it worked.

I don't draw anything in public anymore because I don't want them to tell me I'm good. My inability to like shoots back with "No I'm not." Good thing I'm not in public much.

[Dorkthrone]

That's the main reason most of my people are drawn with the anatomy of Ken and Barbie now. People looking over my shoulders telling me I was drawing porn. Granted, they were immature male high school students trying to annoy me.. so I guess it worked.

I don't draw anything in public anymore because I don't want them to tell me I'm good. My inability to like shoots back with "No I'm not." Good thing I'm not in public much.

Even then, I think someone came and told me that an image with Barbie anatomy that I hadn't even come close to drawing a costume on was porn. That's really one of the few times that people have really given a crap about anatomy.

[PsiBug]

written on a bookmark in your sketchbook:

"As payment for watching me draw, please graze my shoulder with your bewb."



Just think about all the shoulder-bewb!

[Nerahla]

written on a bookmark in your sketchbook:

"As payment for watching me draw, please graze my shoulder with your bewb."



Just think about all the shoulder-bewb!


dude, you need to get out more if you're horny for that kinda contact. heh.

[PsiBug]

shouldermoob also accepted.

[SavageGoldfish]

Through high school I had this problem--people would come and go "OMG LIK UR SO GOOOD!!" and what annoyed me about it was that the people in question knew nothing about art and could offer no constructive compliments or criticism. They couldn't even say "I like this and that about it." No, it was just "LIK OMG UR SOOOO TALENTED I'M SOOO JEALOUS I WISH I COULD DRAW LIKE THAT!!" I can honestly say I hate empty compliments from people who have no idea what they're talking about.

Whenever I'm somewhere in public drawing now, if I don't want to be bothered, I project a sort of "vibe" so if someone wants to come and peek over my shoulder, they're standing in a bubble of hostility which usually makes them not say anything and walk away. I really don't care if people want to watch, but when they're standing there trying to engage me in a conversation while I'm working it's rather distracting.

[Falchion]

Y'know what's fun? Draw whatever you want. Then when someone's looking, look thoughtfully at something around that has absolutely nothing to do with the subject matter. Pretend to take measurements or whatever. That always throws most of the pople around me for a loop.

[aefx]

this whole discussion brings another question to mind, why do we get annoyed when people praise us?Elitism and lack of social skills, this thread being most evident of such issues.

[Noah Bradley]

Seriously, people, learn to smile and take a compliment. It's not that hard.

Since most of us are shooting to be either concept artists/illustrators, you should realize that the average folk--the ones who know nothing about art--are probably the ones the majority of art is meant to appeal to.

[KonnA]

I dislike public sketching. I know people will be pissed if they catch me drawing them.

[BlightedArt]

All the more reason to suck it up and do it KonnA. :)

[Dorkthrone]

I dislike public sketching. I know people will be pissed if they catch me drawing them.

I don't think they'd care too much. It's a good way to get some studies done if you don't have any life drawing classes.

[Sarc]

I draw people on the bus alot. It's one of the best times for me to draw. I've been doing this for a while now and no one has ever been ofended. Most people don't notice or don't care. Occasionally, a few people tell me that I am talented. I just say thanks and they move on. A few people have tried to have a conversation with me. I answer and keep drawing. One time, I was shopping with my girlfriend and bouth her some cloth, the young woman at the counter asked me: "Hey, arn't you that guy who draws on the bus?" She wanted to show me her work because she was thinking of studying arts and wanted advice. I was happy to help. ( This actually happened to me often at one point, it made my girlfriend jealous :P )

[JJacks]

Drawing in public is fun. It gives me an opportunity to talk to people about art, whether they just are curious about it or whether they are really passionate about it. Sometimes people even write down artists they would like me to look up or tell me about galleries I had no idea even existed.

[Helaine]

this whole discussion brings another question to mind, why do we get annoyed when people praise us?

For my case, it's because I think they're exaggerating it.


Compliments are always nice, but... really... I went to a park once, sat on the bench and started drawing. Soon, some of my friends passed by and looked at my sketchbook.


"OH WOOOW! THIS IS AMAZING! UR LIEK SO TALENTED!!!11"


:nohope:


D: It wasn't even a good drawing.... I feel uncomfortable being praised like that D: I really don't deserve it...

[Falchion]

I dislike public sketching. I know people will be pissed if they catch me drawing them.

So get some practice on drawing pissed off faces!:P

[Straight Edge Ryan]

come to think of it, I don't really like when people look over my shoulder regardless of what I'm doing

[TASmith]

Dude just be a teacher so you can draw students while they're taking a test. That way they can't get away!!!

HAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAHAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

No seriously, I did that today. It helps kids relax after the test is done and they're worried about grades, especially after I just caught them cheating and gave 'em an F.

I swear, no matter how many times I catch them, they still have to keep trying...

[Falchion]

Dude just be a teacher so you can draw students while they're taking a test. That way they can't get away!!!

HAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAHAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

No seriously, I did that today. It helps kids relax after the test is done and they're worried about grades, especially after I just caught them cheating and gave 'em an F.

I swear, no matter how many times I catch them, they still have to keep trying...

Dammit, now I've got to do that in a few years...

[Kaileighblue]

Elitism and lack of social skills, this thread being most evident of such issues.


I'll cop to the last one. Not the elitism. I think I suck. Back when I drew in school I know I sucked. (That was my "ANIME WAI KAWAII DESU!!!" Phase. Proof. (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2508112&postcount=20)) Still people liked to get in my personal space and praise my suck, or point out the nudity of my sketch that hadn't gotten clothing yet.

It's frustrating to hear how "great" you are when you know you're not.

[ChristmasBunneh]

I actually don't mind silly comments and praisings much but if they just come and stare it really bothers me. I tell them I charge $10 per minute for staring if they have lingered long enough and so far this has been enough of a hint.

[Peter Coene]

That doesnt really bother me, but something that annoys me beyond everything is when someone start guessing what im drawing.

I draw a line and i hear someone say "a snake! its a snake?".
Then i draw a second line and i hear "what is it? why are you drawing that?"

Well what do you expect when you play pictionary?

[aefx]

I'll cop to the last one. Not the elitism. I think I suck. Back when I drew in school I know I sucked. (That was my "ANIME WAI KAWAII DESU!!!" Phase. Proof. (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2508112&postcount=20)) Still people liked to get in my personal space and praise my suck, or point out the nudity of my sketch that hadn't gotten clothing yet.

It's frustrating to hear how "great" you are when you know you're not.I have a hard time receiving compliments on my drawing as well for the same reasons as you. However I realise that they didn't have to say anything at all, in fact they took a moment out of their day just to stop and comment on my work... so for that I say thanks. As for no matter how much I may disagree with them it's still better than living in a world where everyone is indifferent to my art and no one will take the time to look at it. :)