"Cotidiano" is a series of illustrations based on observations from my sketchbooks collected over the last few years. Drawing from life, is a lovely habit I kept from college, as I believe that brings a richness irreplaceable to my repertoire when drawing new characters. It is also a very relaxing way to feel immersed by my surroundings, and my greatest company when I am solo traveling.
The sketches I used for this series, came from a variety of places : from Columbia Road Flower Market in London, São Paulo International Airport, people I saw from my window in Rotterdam while dog sitting, to the local park I frequent in Lisbon.
There is a beautiful rhythm on the way people walk, sit, move their hands, the different ways they carry their objects and tend to each other.
When drawing from life, I have to be quick to document what is catching my eyes, let my pencil react to that unique moment, almost automatically. But I know it is also a direct response to the way I am feeling at that place and time.
Going back to these sketchbooks for me, is a form of "time travel", as I can usually recreate those moments very vividly.
Some of the illustrations are straight on coloured from the sketches, others are more like a mix and match of various characters. But they all came from my notes one way or another!
