This blog contains a collection of recorded moments that examine the focussing effects of drawing
A brisk walk along the Thames in Chiswick, bright sunshine just after a heavy rain storm. The ice cream van is parked on the pavement and is not open for business. Probably preparing the hotdogs for the lunch time crowds. Ice cream and hot dogs seem like an unusual combination
A cold damp scene in Battersea Park, a small boy dressed in full winter weather wear looks longingly at the parked ice cream van. He is shouting to his parents who are intent on walking in the other direction and not the least bit interested in what Mr Whippy has to offer.
This Fields Gelato mobile vendor was parked under a shady tree by a small local square in Balham. I came across him before he became popular and only a small number of passers by had stopped. Over the time I stood sketching more and more people gathered and quite a queue formed. As I had started the drawing with the mother and daughter I made a decision to keep them as the only customers. It is in fact not an accurate depiction of the popularity of the stall.
Working from home over the course of the pandemic I began to feel an urgent need to leave my house at least once a day to take a walk, see the sky and get a bit of exercise. I walked around my local area and over time the expeditions became longer and further reaching, at times up to 9km. I began to notice that whatever the weather, at some point in every walk there would be an ice cream van parked up and waiting for business.These drawings from August 2020 were drawn on location on Clapham and Wandsworth Commons. The first lockdown had ended but people were anxious about going into public spaces so even though the weather was sunny there were very few people around. Hence the man in the top image feeling free to sun himself wearing only shorts and no top. I am fascinated by the patience of the ice cream sellers but I never buy one as I really don't like ice cream
