Bobby Chiu's Noo Yawk City Subway Sketch Group

[digital-bobert]

I've seen your stuff before and it's absolutely HALARIOUS! Love it. Can't wait to see some sketches from you my friend

[subwaysurfer605]

Bob your stuff melts in your mouth not in your hands! I checked out your magically delicious art and was glad that someone else was doing this. I cant wait to ride the train again and set up my first meeting! New York is great this time of year! I figured our base of operations would be the 14th street union sq station. I'll figure out the detail as Iwe go along. When we DO get started I recommend that people be ready to sketch talk and possibly perform! Im a wild and crazy guy and I eat a steady diet of chicken fried squirrel, dope and dogfood!

[subwaysurfer605]

Help me! Im sketching and I just cant stop!!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/bugandjamal.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/vinnybagadonuts.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/asianbeauty.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/dave.jpg

[NooLady]

I am going to do this. Wouldn't miss it, Subway.
But all I see posted is Union Square and 14th Street.
Is that right?
UNION SQUARE? OR GRAND CENTRAL?
at 11am tomorrow morning - right?

NooLady

[subwaysurfer605]

I guess I wasnt clear. When I mentioned that Union Square would be my base of operations I should have clarified it by saying that Union square is where we would end up. The actual palace where we would be starting is 42nd street Grand Central Station. We will be traveling downtown on the 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge and then going back uptown on the 6 train and ending up at 14th street union square where we would chat or whatever. Hope nobody else is confused.

[subwaysurfer605]

Well, today was the first of many days of subway surfin' subway sketching, and it started off right. On the way to Grand Central Station, I was "warming up" on the uptown 4 train when I noticed a young lady who was particularly interested in my sketches. We introduced ourselves and I found out she was a fellow artist who wanted to get involved in the whole subway sketching thing. We exchanged emails and I told her I'd give her an update. Two other poeple showed up and we went to work lampooning people on the 6 line, and later the 4. At one point we went outside at Brooklyn Bridge Station and started drawing people randomly in the park. One man from Oregon in particular wanted to be drawn and he had such a great face, I granted his request and asked him to pose for two pictures. Here is one of them.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/oregondude.jpg

[subwaysurfer605]

I couldnt resist drawing a coupla commuters as they were waiting for the train. This tourist couldint seem to make up his mind.... so I drew him

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/needlenose.jpg

All of a sudden this "balloon " girl entered my field of vision. She was walking so fast I guess it was to prevent her from tipping over since she was so top heavy....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/baloongurl.jpg

[subwaysurfer605]

On the way to the sketch group I "warmed up" on the A train at my home station . I saw this big dude walking up and don the platform and he appeared to be really looking for a "mark" to mug that morning. He came by and did his best "gangsta" sideways stare twice. I hid my drawing from him. No sense in getting punched in the face for your art...... II also drew this woman on the train who got so mad she glared at me, got up and sat right next to me.... as if that was going to stop me....heh, heh.
I did a series of commuters for the next few minutes until it was time to get off.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/mugger.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/atraincommuters.jpg

[Gord-MacDonald]

your work is awesome - I love it! :thumbsup:

*edit*
nice line variation - do you prefer a particular type of pen for your finished lines?

Gord

[digital-bobert]

Bahahahaha!! I love it!! Fantastic work Elgin! too funny!

[subwaysurfer605]

I do the initial lines in pencil then ink it with a Tombo Brush pen.

[NooLady]

Drawing with the Original NewYawk Subway Surfer is so inspiring.
I wanted to post some of my pictures, too, but I don't know how to upload them here.
If you tell me how to get them onto this site, you can see them!

Alison

[subwaysurfer605]

Did this stuff today....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/poppi.jpg



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/arabphone.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/atrainners.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/fatgurl.jpg

[birdybear]

cool style, very "characature"

[subwaysurfer605]

Caught this guy sweating it out in the summer heat on the Grand Central Platform.....It's MURDER being overweight in the summer time!! Espectially if you gotta travel underground....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/fattboy.jpg


I did this guy who was outside of the station talking to a buddy of his(not pictured here) He seemed like he was passionately involved in a debate over whether or not lite beer was REALLY less filling than regular beer....

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwaysketches/fattywcoffee.jpg

[digital-bobert]

Just awesomeeeee!! very inspiring

[GrahamHRoss]

ru using a tombo for those?

[subwaysurfer605]

I caught this lovely East Indian Girl looking back at me as I was sketching on the Manhattan Bound "A" Train... I HAD to sketch her. I came home and doctored it up in photoshop.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/indiangirl.jpg

This guy was outside the Brooklyn Bridge Station right outside of City Hall. He was from Oregon. He also "HAD" "one of those faces"

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/oregonman2.jpg

[subwaysurfer605]

Saw this bronze beauty on a Rockaway Bound A Express Train. The train was passing over the ocean I had a full 3 minutes to sketch her face> I ran home, scanned it colored it in photoshop and here it is!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/subwaygirl.jpg

[NooLady]

I've been making it a point to do Subway sketching more often.
I usually did my drawing on the Train, where you get so much more than 3 minutes per person - You can actually be stuck with the same few people for a whole hour.

Subway Sketching is a good idea for increasing speed.
I want to do more of it, but it usually seemed like a waste of time to even take out my paper since I'm only on the Subway for one or two stops.
I was inspired by seeing SubwaySurfer605 in action.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/BEingly/vertical.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/BEingly/thiswasagrownup.jpg

NooLady

[digital-bobert]

Elgin - brilliantly funny as always

NooLady - I see a bit of Elgin in you! Lovely work with the markers.

[Hatefrost]

so ummm,this doesnt work the same way as the original thread does? no one here ever met up to do an actual GROUP thing? just curious, cuz im interested in participating...youd be surprised but being unemployed really opens up alot of doors, gives you more free time to do productive things like sleep and Stargate SG-1 mondays

hahaha

well whoever is in charge or interested if you can PM me, or catch me on one of my messengers

chip chip cheerio!!!

[subwaysurfer605]

so ummm,this doesnt work the same way as the original thread does? no one here ever met up to do an actual GROUP thing? just curious, cuz im interested in participating...youd be surprised but being unemployed really opens up alot of doors, gives you more free time to do productive things like sleep and Stargate SG-1 mondays

hahaha

well whoever is in charge or interested if you can PM me, or catch me on one of my messengers

chip chip cheerio!!!

Sorry for not getting back sooner, and forgive me if it seemed like I was dragging my feet. Because of my unpredictable freelance schedule, I hadnt established an "official" time and date for the "surfing". Instead, I have been doing spontaneous sessions with members who responded to my first post , and have gone out wioth them as my schedule permitted.
I do plan on doing something next week possibly Weds, so keep posted to the site for more info.

[subwaysurfer605]

Here are a few folks that I caught on the A train again this week!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/teenagemom.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/fatty.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/redmon.jpg

[Big-Boi]

freakin awesome!! your drawings totally kick assssss Subwaysurfer!

[subwaysurfer605]

Thanks Boi! I'll keep em coming!

[subwaysurfer605]

Took the train and the bus alllll da way up to jersey to the Meadowlands racetrack. Did a LOT of sketching on the bus and train ride, but THIS guy was the most memorable. He had just lost a bundle on his favorite pony. He had this look on his face that read: "How am I gonna explain to the wife that just blew the mortgage money?!"
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/meadowlandsgambler.jpg

[Hatefrost]

sorry man i forgot to subscribe to this thread...and JUST now i saw your post, i know im a week late...but still am interested, if its easier for you talk to me on ain or msn, if not then here is fine

later B

[subwaysurfer605]

I saw this New York City cop in braids! not realizing that the cops had altered their dress code standards to allow for more cultural expression I guess. I dont remember his name, I call him "Officer Homie"
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/officerhomie.jpg

[subwaysurfer605]

On Weds the 27th of July between the hours of 11am-1pm I will be on the Downtown Platform where the number 6 train stops IN THE REAR OF THE PLATFORM at the 42nd street Grand Central Platform on EAST 42nd street.

I WILL WAIT a few minutes for stragglers! You'll recognize me, cause I'll have drawing pad out sketching people on the platform first, and will probably have a folding stool with me.

I will be traveling on the NUMBER 6 train riding to the BROOKLYN BRIDGE station. I will then head back uptown on the MANHATTAN BOUND number 6 train platform at take it to 14th Street UNION Square where I will end.

All who can and will, are welcome to come! BRING YOUR SKETCHBOOKS!

[subwaysurfer605]

On Weds the 27th of July between the hours of 11am-1pm I will be on the Downtown Platform where the number 6 train stops IN THE REAR OF THE PLATFORM at the 42nd street Grand Central Platform on EAST 42nd street.

I WILL WAIT a few minutes for stragglers! You'll recognize me, cause I'll have drawing pad out sketching people on the platform first, and will probably have a folding stool with me.

I will be traveling on the NUMBER 6 train riding to the BROOKLYN BRIDGE station. I will then head back uptown on the MANHATTAN BOUND number 6 train platform at take it to 14th Street UNION Square where I will end.

All who can and will, are welcome to come! BRING YOUR SKETCHBOOKS!

[subwaysurfer605]

I met up with two other "surfers" at the appointed location and we started uptown on th six train, all the way into Harlem, then back into city hall on the downtown 6 train. A lot of drawing was done, and I found out an interesting phenomenon.
People are more receptive to being drawn when there is a GROUP of artists, even a small one like ours, then when there is just ONE artist. Maybe it's because people feel it's more of an event. At any rate we all were more daring with each others company. Here are two of the better sketches.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subwayboy.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/Black%20and%20white%20party%20caricatures/subway726one.jpg

[NooLady]

I think this is my version of the first face that SubwaySurfer605 posted - same person?

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/BEingly/sameface.jpg

NooLady

[NooLady]

Here is a face that we all drew on our recent Subway Surf.
As we left the train, I showed my first version to SubwaySurfer605 - to point out the guy's 2 chins. He put into words what I thought without words: "The guy was just lumpy."

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/BEingly/lumpy1.jpg

So when I got home, I tried a lumpier version of the same guy. Um, too lumpy now.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/BEingly/lumpy2.jpg

So I tried again, and I'm pleased with the 3rd version.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/BEingly/lumpy3.jpg

Going SubwaySurfing with this group is so beneficial.

NooLady

[subwaysurfer605]

Noo lady is right about it being beneficial. I eat next to her when she drew "lumpy" and found out when we compared illustrations on him that I totally missed certain aspects of his face. Drawing with a group of people works best I think when each person concentrates on the same people. Once the ride is over you can compare notes, and it makes for great conversation. It's also not a bad idea to give away some of the sketches along with your contact information. People usually hire folks that they "know" and if a passenger is WILLING to let themselves be sketched it's a good idea to form that"relationship"
Here's some more stuff



http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/dejavucaricature.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/subwaysurfer605/dailysketch.jpg

I LOVE to sketch "people of color" the faces are extremely animated and extreme, and you can literally go wild pulling and stretching. These were originally sketched out with blue pencil, inked with Tombo Brush pens, and also FAT Crayola Markers. I scanned em, cleaned em up and threw em up here BAM!

[Gord-MacDonald]

subwaysurfer605 - You work is very inspiring.

I made some comments in another forum which I think apply to you:

"Looking at drawings of those who are totally on top of their game is breathtaking. It is like watching a world classprize fighter in the ring. The are nimble, quick, mobile and devastatingly accurate. They can discern in a split second when their pencil should deliver a jab, uppercut, or right-cross to the drawing surface and then deliver the goods."


Gord

(hope to see more work from you soon!)

[Goldenavatar]

A few people & myself (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21941) from the Conceptart.org/forum in NYC have been hosting the NYC subway sketchbook group (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=431133#post431133). The next time we plan to meet up will be the following Sundays in in September. The 4, 11, 18, & 25th, 1:30pm at the at the Starbucks outside Penn Station (http://www.kuiki.net/goldenavatar/Photographs/StarBucksShot1.jpg) (34th Street between 7th and 8th Ave. right next to 1 Penn Plaza). If you're interested, but can't meet on that day or time, please feel free to send me some form of message stating your interest & I'll do my best to keep you abreast of other such functions we're organizing that might be of interest.

Every week our plan is to ride a different subway line, or goto a public park & spend a few hours assaulting the personal space of unassuming travelers in an effort to sketch them. Bring your pens, pencils, charcoal & sketchbooks. Feel free to see some work (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=40514) from past group meets displayed on the ConceptArt.org forum.

Drawing on the subway especially presents a great opportunity to observe people. Also, by not providing you with a lot of time or still poses it forces you to get down the essential gesture of a person. I've been told & read that many learning artists have used this strategy to improve & develop their life drawing skills. George Pratt (Enemy Ace, Wolverine: Netsuke), credits this method for his development as well. He would spend hours on the subway to & from Pratt Institute in the late 70's sketching people. As such, we welcome every skill level, from beginners up.

[digital-bobert]

Hello Elgin,

Great work as always! I've been checking back every week but haven't had a chance to respond until today cuz I've been launching my new studio and my new book. Everything's going well so far. *knock on wood*

How have you been? And how's the sketch group? I'm looking forward to your next batch of sketches! They always have such vitality and personality, they crack me up!

Cheers,
Bobby.

[JensDenker]

sorry for offtopic guys but how long does the bus take from new jersey to downtown new york? im come from germany but in december i'll flight to ny and i'll live in new jersey for 2 weeks and i'hve no car to go to new york.
i would be happy if somebody can answer my question. big thanks!!! if you need more information where i live and so on, i would give it to you.

and by the way really nice sketches from all of you

:thumbsup:


Greetz JD

[digital-bobert]

Anybody out there? :P

I just wanted to get the word out that I've put together a Subway Sketching section (http://www.imaginismstudios.com/sketchgroupsblog.html) on my site where I plan to collect and show work from sketch groups all over. Come check it out! If you want me to also post your group's work on my site, just email the files to sketchgroups@imaginismstudios.com (sketchgroups@imaginismstudios.com)! :)

[amishcommy]

Hey Bobby,

The group GoldenAvatar and I started in March in NYC (independetly of Elgin) has been going strong. We kinda evolved into a regular sketchgroup becasue we haven't drawn on the subway in a long while (although there's been a request to start it up again). this past Saturday, the 3rd, we hosted our first colletion of group sketches at the grand opening of the IronWorks Gallery in ModHaven NYC.

here are some photos (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=668813#post668813) from the curating party the night before.

[subwaysurfer605]

Still in the subways and still sketching. Heres whats Some of what Ive been up to. These days instead of leaving the illos in their raw stage I take em back home and tweak em a bit... not all, but certainly the majority now. These days Im interested more in character design, so my style has taken on a more cartoony look... but that doesnt not mean I dont like doing an occasional warped looking semi realistic caricature type piece! Visit me at www.subwaysurfer.com (http://www.subwaysurfer.com)
http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/loong%20face%20gurl.jpg

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/music%20boy.jpg


http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/indian%20monkee.jpg

[subwaysurfer605]

whats up people. I havent posted for a while BUT that doesnt mean that the NYC subway group is DEAD!! It's NOT!! in fact, if you want to know how you can hook up for a ride on the wild side, PLEASE e mail me at cartoons4u2@aol.com for details. Put BOBBY CHU SUBWAY SKETCH in the subject line of the e mail so I know what it's all about. Thursdays have been the "unofficial, offical" meeting day that I do this, and now that Summer is coming I am willing to make readdjustments. Again, e mail me for comment. Also take a look at
www.subwaysurfer.com (http://www.subwaysurfer.com/) to see whut I've been up to.
And now for the subway sketches! Take a look!



This Arab man had that pointed hat thing going, and the nose going and the chin beard going! I HADDD to capture him! by the time he noticed me he was already done! he wasnt too happy and promply moved (http://www.subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/ONE%20LITTLE%20INDIQN.jpg)
http://www.subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/seek.jpg (http://www.subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/seek.jpg)

Heres another great Arab Drawing
http://www.subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/ONE%20LITTLE%20INDIQN.jpg (http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/fat%20yoga%20lady.jpg)

[subwaysurfer605]

This was a lady I captured on the 35 Bus I take in from Brookln To Queens. I had JUST left a yoga class, stepped on the bus and saw this hulk of a woman on the bus. I couldnt get the yoga image outta my mind so I drew her doing it.
http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/fat%20yoga%20lady.jpg

[winchester]

Those are some killar subway skethes Elgin!!! IM glad you have a city like New York to keep you busy with charactures......

[subwaysurfer605]

Thanks! NYC doesnt have a shortage of characters to draw! LOL as the weather gets warmer people will look stranger and stranger!

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/collage%20one.jpghttp://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/haree%20gurl.jpg

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/pensive%20woman.jpg

[aLoneCuzzo]

Yo your stuff is insane!

Can I join the group?! I live a little ways away in White Plains, but I'm down in the city a lot because I take classes at SVA.

[subwaysurfer605]

absolutely. Drop me a private email at cartoons4u2@aol.com and we can set up a time and a date. I got some crazy plans for this summer!

[aLoneCuzzo]

absolutely. Drop me a private email at cartoons4u2@aol.com and we can set up a time and a date. I got some crazy plans for this summer!

K, cool. I shot you an email. My screename on AIM is 'sochira' btw.

Thx

[Gord-MacDonald]

The last set is great :thumbsup:


Gord

[subwaysurfer605]

havent been here allllll summer, but that doesnt mean I havent been busy! here's some stuff.


http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/have%20a%20drink.jpg (http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/have%20a%20drink.jpg)

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/ducky.jpg (http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/ducky.jpg)

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/frank%20head.jpg (http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/frank%20head.jpg)

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/stolmann%20pic.jpg (http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/stolmann%20pic.jpg)

[subwaysurfer605]

http://subwaysurfer.com/wp-content/bozo%20grinn.jpgIalways find the most interesting commuters to draw!!

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