
Pencil on Paper – 2015
Dee Grant
Trains are a community of strangers making regular urban journeys. There is the to and thro as the train lurches back and forth. People hang on, people lean against walls. The lucky ones get a seat. This sketch is looking at the main entry to the carriage facing toward the front of the train. It was sketched from upstairs. You can tell as I am looking down on some peoples heads. It was in March 2015 in the afternoon peak. You can tell that it is neither hot nor cold. We are making our way south on an express train to suburbs like Wolli Creek, Hurstville, Jannali, and Sutherland. I will arrive at Sutherland station about 6.45pm for the final commute by bus to my final destination.
With my train sketches I use movement lines and words. The excerpt to the left below is a mans hand holding a newspaper and hanging onto one of the handles that are attached to the ceiling. As the train goes around the corner the handle moves. The two separate lines to the right of that handle show that movement.
With words I describe what I see. There are several on this train sketch including “short white denim”, “man talking to lady”, “senior”


It makes me happy to see your sketches with notes on them! How long did you have to study this scene?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did them live while sitting or standing on the train. That’s why there are mistakes. I didnt use an eraser cause I didn’t have time.
Trying to sort out NY site to see why it isn’t linking across thank you for letting me know.
LikeLike
Oh actually I was on an Express train so about 20 minutes between stops.
LikeLike