11 Comments
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Addyson Brough's avatar

Absolutely stunning work, and stunning advice too - thank you!

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Niki Groom's avatar

Ah that’s great to hear, thanks :)

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Lisa Cunningham DeLauney's avatar

Fabulous illustrations and tips. You are so right to add in time for all those micro actions they add up and are necessary!

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Pearl Bates's avatar

Hi Niki,

Thank you for sharing these very helpful insights. I was intrigued to read about your approach of taking photos of guests and then working on the drawings away from the crowd. I’ve always worked with guests posing in front of me and chatting to me while I draw them. Fun – but emotionally exhausting for me!

I'm curious about the practical aspects of how you set this up at events. When you arrive at a venue, how do you initially approach guests to take their photos? Do you have a particular way of explaining what the photograph is for and your process? I imagine people might be hesitant or uncertain when someone approaches them with a camera at first.

Many thanks,

Pearl

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Niki Groom's avatar

I’m usually in the main room, but just not in the middle of it. Usually I’m just busy from the start so it doesn’t seem to put people off? I just explain I’m doing illustrations and all I need to do is take a quick photo to work from….they come up to me usually so I’m not really wandering around the room.

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Pearl Bates's avatar

Ah that makes sense! OK great, thank you.

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Jo Scott's avatar

Really glad you said you allowed 15 minutes for dogs, I’ve been painting them my entire career/life and I struggle to get them at 10 mins 🤣

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Niki Groom's avatar

Yeah the paint needs to dry before adding the next layer right!

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The Gleeful Dabbler's avatar

Thanks Niki, this is wonderful. I'm so full of excitement and enthusiasm that I can't think of any questions right now, I just want to get on with it. I really appreciate you taking the time to give this advice for free and it has come at the perfect time for me. Thank you again.

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Niki Groom's avatar

My pleasure, good luck :)

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The Gleeful Dabbler's avatar

Thank you.

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