First Day!

As many of you will be entirely sick of hearing, yesterday was my first proper day at Cambridge. As a sort of introduction/sick torture, we had to give a short presentation on ourselves and our work. I was lucky enough to go second, so afterwards I was able to really relax and enjoy everyone else's! There was some amazing stuff I must say, and an extremely diverse bunch of people, from experienced illustrators with 15 years in the industry, to architects who've only drawn buildings - there was even an opera singer and a veterinary nurse. I liked everyone - they seemed a really supportive lot.

I feel a bit daunted work-wise seeing all that talent and experience but I'm trying not to look too far ahead. Our first module is observational drawing - sketching, basically, and we have to pick a theme. Themes people mentioned included; queues, deer, collections, light and dark, dancing...the list goes on. Anyway I thought I'd like to do couples. It's interesting to see how they behave - their body language, their conversations. And I can do old people, teenagers, posh people, chavs - I think it's got loads of possibilities.

So that's my idea...if you see a strange woman lurking around with a sketchbook while you're out with your partner, do me a favour and snog for at least ten minutes. Or have an argument - the sort of argument where you don't move for ten minutes (we all have those, right?).

I was lucky enough to sit opposite this couple on the train home.




It took me a while to work out if they actually were a couple. They didn't speak to one another at all (a clue that they were a couple?) The woman seemed relaxed enough with him to have her legs out (although it was a cold day). They also had matching glasses on and very similar noses. Brother and sister maybe? But then they obliged...very briefly...

Aah!

The journey turned into a nightmare from Kings Cross onwards. So crowded, hot and smelly. Why anyone would choose to commute to and from London every day I'll never know. I was actually quite angry with them all for making such a ridiculous decision.

My family didn't quite go to pieces in my absence - there was a dog bite to the nose (Pele to Charlie) before I had even left Sussex, and Charlie was late for school, but other than that they seemed to survive. I think I will switch my phone off next week rather than ask for progress reports all the time...it's too stressful!

Right - I'm off to stalk some couples...