I learned of this challenge from Writing at Large. The idea is to complete 100 sketches of people in a week,  from 3 to 7 March inclusive. The challenge runs every year in the first week of March.

Although I am not usually one for these online challenges, I was intrigued enough by this one, to have a go. I thought the practice would be beneficial, which it has been.

I gathered that there were few rules on how to go about this. You can use any sketching media. Then post your work using the hashtag #OneWeek100People.

Even the target of completing 100 pictures in 5 days is not essential. That is just as well, as I find myself woefully behind with just 12 pictures in three days.

Also my pictures have all been copied from photos, rather than drawn from life, as an urban sketcher would.

Having since looked at other people’s work, I now see that  my sketches are far too fussy, when I should have worked loosely and quickly.

But here are my attempts so far. All were drawn with a vintage Parker 17 Lady fountain pen with Parker Quink black ink in a Rymans A5 sketch book, with no prior pencil work. Going straight to ink builds confidence! I quickly learned that trying to produce pictures that are recognisably human is challenge enough: to get a likeness is a whole lot harder.

In blogs which promote fountain pens, I think it is good to inspire the use of these wonderful instruments, and not only their acquisition.