At the Collectif Coffee House of 18 March 2024, 17 folks took part in an exercise of drawing from looking & from memory – to help us “see” better. It was also an opportunity to have fun. 

It was important to use your memory, not fixate on drawing skills. 

This was originally a session on Sketchbook Revival (online initiative by Karen Abend) entitled Be Free & Have Fun … with Lucia Leyfield (terrific artist in the UK). Member Alison Hall suggested the activity and then ably led group of four tables through three rounds. She was also the timer.

At each of the four tables, the subjects started covered.

Each table had a designated coverer/revealer, too. Step 1 we’d look at the subject for 5 seconds, then cover, set timer for 30 seconds & draw subjects from memory.

It was great fun having playful subjects: Godzilla in a bow-tie; giant toadstool; a “hunting”dog; figures – not bowls of fruit and the like. Certainly made things challenging.

Step 2: Remove cover, set timer for 2 minutes & draw subject from observation. Cover subject again.

Step 4: Remove cover, set timer for 4 minutes & draw subject from observation. This started to feel good because we’d seen, remembered (sort of!) and seen again. People focused.

Really focused!

They were keen and happy.

You can see the progression. [I’m thinking the 2nd from the left is the 4-minute version! Ed.]

Quite a variety!

People were happy, laughing and improved as observers, too. Here are the instructions so you can try it with friends. (Shouldn’t you be at the next coffee house 13 May?)

• Don’t’ be precious about the drawing, use scrap paper 
• Use chunky crayons that make large marks, not fine pencils
• Have everything ready to start, including timer.

1. Look at subject 5 seconds, then cover, set timer for 30 seconds & draw subjects from memory.
2. Remove cover, set timer for 2 minutes & draw subject from observation. Cover subject again.
3. Set timer for 1 minute, draw subject from memory (notice if you remember more compared to Step 1).
4. Remove cover, set timer for 4 minutes & draw subject from observation (now is the chance for more detail & tone).
5. Cover subject, set timer for 90 seconds, draw subject from memory.
6. Look back at the drawings, add some colour (or whatever) to your favourite.
7. Change tables & repeat.

Thank you to Milo Smith for exhaustive photo coverage.