I was invited to live draw another event at the 92nd St Y in NYC last night. It was a screening of the Lin Manuel Miranda film, Tick, Tick….Boom, and then interview with the star, Andrew Garfield. It was great to see the film again, and to hear Garfield talk. He’s great, so humble and funny and sensitive. I came away with a positive feeling about him and a renewed appreciation for the film, which is about creativity, friendship and hope.
Above is a video that gives you a glimpse of what a fan base Garfield has—so many screaming and gasping young women around me! Below, and the one above, are the drawings I did during the interview part.
My intention in live drawing is to capture and event. Not necessarily get a complete likeness of the person, although that would be nice, it’s more about getting their essence and a feel for the event they are in. I’m not a caricaturist in the classic sense and never have been. I like my drawings to be quick and expressive and evoke a feeling for the moment in time.
I don’t practice ahead of time. In other words, if I know I will be drawing a well- known person, I purposefully don’t sketch the celebrity I will be seeing beforehand. Well, that’s not true. When I was live drawing for CBS This Morning, I was brought in because they wanted me to draw Oprah when she was in the green room. I was worried I would not be able to capture her, so I studied her face the day before. Her face, like Garfield’s, Denzel Washington’s, Matt Damon’s, they are all faces we know so well. Plus, they are faces that, while distinctive, do not have an obvious distinctive feature—and that makes it more challenging!
I love doing this with the venerable 92nd St Y. Next up for them is Viola Davis! Can’t wait.
Live Drawing Celebrities