Sketching outdoor /

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Hang on Studio Wall
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Yesterday I packed my bag to go and find a place early this morning to do a little drawing. I looked up tips on YouTube about how to react when someone is watching you, staring at you, or something similar. Don't be afraid of observers when you're drawing.  So, well-equipped with lots of tips and a brush, I rode my bike and found a wonderful spot with three benches, a few trees, and a beautiful building facade. But wait—as soon as I sat down there, I noticed that I was being watched nonstop. An old man is standing on the balcony and is looking directly! in my! direction! at me! Constantly! Continuously. "Hi old man!" I grumbled and waved at him demonstratively. "He just doesn't react and keeps watching me!" I quietly used the nasty "A" word and reminded myself of the YouTube video: stay cool, ignore it. I ignore it! He's still f* watching.  Okay, old man, you win. I resignedly packed all my things into the bag. I just can't do this. As a beginner at outdoor drawing, it was just too much for me. The constant staring is driving me mad. I hop on my bike, ride right past him under the balcony, and shout angrily at him: Goodbye, you've achieved what you apparently wanted - have a nice day!! and then I really see "him" up close: a life-size wooden carved doll. (didn't i say i hate dolls?)
Very strange experience Tanja, well told story with a great punch line!
What a weird thing to have on your balcony.
Oh Tanja what a wonderful story. Wgatis the A word ?    I used to love outdoor painting and met some great people.   Sadly my stupid eyes have stopped it Try again and make friends with them.    ( not the wooden ones )
Thanks Sylvia, I'll definitely continue with the outdoors—and making friends is certainly better than saying the nasty A-word, which, by the way, is where the sun never shines... But I find it very rude to be constantly stared at like that. I got very angry, but now I just have to laugh at how I tried to "interact" with this "rude" man... @Alain thx U too:))
I agree with Norrette, it's a very weird thing to have on your balcony....where would one obtain such an item!  I draw in Starbucks occasionally and people don't tend to stare at me, but I'm always aware that I could be staring at them !. I agree with Sylvia it's good for chatting with people, though I tend to sit with my back against something so inquisitive souls can't look over my shoulder. 
Good idea, Julie, leaning back...I think the wooden man is standing up there as a disguise, so his family thinks he's a good man, always at home, drinking coffee, everything's fine, and in reality...oh, mind games. Yes, why is he standing up there watching everything?
I read that in an article recently about painting outdoors, find a spot with your back to the wall! People will probably still stop and look, but so would I if I were passing! I drew someone’s dog on the beach once and we got chatting and they ended up buying it from me, so a good result!
I like that Tessa. Love that they bought it. I think the sitting with back to a wall is better if sketching in a cafe over outside. I only paint small anyway, and outside even smaller. Moleskine A6 landscape watercolour book, so people often don't notice anyway. For me personally, it does bother me. Not sure why. Probably because it's quick sketches and not the end product. 
I must say, I occasionally go out to sketch and almos always I sit with a wall behind me. I think most people are genuinely interested or intrigued in what you are doing. I run an art group and it has taken a while to get then to have ago . But having bitten the bullet they have discovered it’s great !  Building up confidence in a group has helped enormously.
When a group of kids come and join in and I provide them with paint and paper a good time had by all.