Drawing in a coffee shop

 As the first scene of my book takes place in a cafe/coffee shop, I wanted to go out and spend some time really trying to notice what happens in these spaces. I really love when illustrators and writes weave in small details that make spaces feel real or similar to something you have experienced yourself and I'd like that to come through in my own work.

Initially I was observing the customers and what they were doing - besides the obvious (drinking coffee). I noticed how a man on my right was hunched right over his laptop the entire time I was there.

The variation in seating was something else I noticed. There were the usual wooden tables and chairs, but also a plush couch and armchairs. The group sat here were very relaxed (almost halfway down the sofa but I felt self conscious about drawing them due to the angle I was observing from). They were talking to each other very animatedly.

I noticed the artworks on the wall were all about coffee. They depicted the different kind of coffees you could order. I think this could be something I incorporate into my illustrations!

I noticed what sort of objects were actually in a coffee shop. Stacks of cups, huge barista machine, cosy lighting etc.

I also noticed how loud it was. The room was filled with constant chatter, the drink machines, toilets flushing etc. These kind of things can be conveyed with busy illustrations - I could draw the cafe packed with all sorts of characters, interacting with each other, ordering drinks or working quietly by themselves.

 

 

I didn't expect to find this exercise so useful when it came to visualising my novel. I have a much clearer idea of objects/scenes I'd like to explore going forward.