50 cyclists

After the success of drawing 50 cats, and seeing the benefits I gained from that, I decided to tackle 50 cyclists. I’ve always wanted to be able to sketch a bike quickly, but they are such complex things, I never quite managed. Until this challenge that is.

Initially I drew quite generic cyclists, using reference images, videos and even some who whooshed past my windows, and they helped me understand how a bike ‘works’ (as a wheelchair user, I often view cyclists as magicians – how they stay upright astounds me). But, despite my awe for cyclists, these initial drawings left me rather ‘cold’ and so I started giving my cyclists more narrative. Then, the fun began – lions, owls and circus performers appeared, and were soon joined by hares, partridges and mice. It was such a fun project, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills.

All texts and images ©Jane Sunbeam 2013-2023