The Art of Noticing: Why Sketching 100 People in a Week is More Than Just Drawing
There’s something profoundly human about sitting in a corner of a bustling café, sketchbook in hand, and trying to capture the essence of a stranger. It’s an act that feels both intimate and universal, a way of connecting with the world without saying a word. This is the heart of the #OneWeek100People challenge, a global initiative that’s less about artistic perfection and more about the sheer joy of observation. But what makes this challenge so compelling isn’t just the act of drawing—it’s the way it forces us to slow down, to truly see the world around us.
The Challenge: A Game, Not a Chore
Personally, I think the brilliance of #OneWeek100People lies in its accessibility. Co-founders Liz Steel and Marc Taro Holmes have crafted something that feels more like a game than a daunting task. The goal is simple: sketch 100 people in seven days. But here’s the kicker—it’s not about creating masterpieces. As Holmes puts it, ‘Quantity is the only goal, not quality.’ This flips the traditional art-world narrative on its head. What many people don’t realize is that this approach isn’t just liberating; it’s transformative. By removing the pressure to create something ‘good,’ participants are free to experiment, to make mistakes, and to grow in ways they never expected.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how it democratizes art. You don’t need expensive tools or years of training. All you need is a sketchbook and the willingness to try. From my perspective, this is a powerful reminder that creativity isn’t reserved for the ‘talented’—it’s a muscle anyone can flex.
The Slow Art of Seeing
One thing that immediately stands out is how sketching changes the way we engage with our surroundings. Holmes notes that drawing forces you to look actively, rather than passively consuming the world through a screen. This resonates deeply in an age where our attention is constantly fragmented. When you sketch, you’re not just capturing an image; you’re encoding memories, sounds, and even conversations into your work.
Steel describes this as creating a ‘tactile relationship’ with the environment. I find this especially interesting because it highlights how sketching isn’t just a visual practice—it’s a full-sensory experience. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a rare thing in our digital age. We’re so used to scrolling through life that we forget what it’s like to truly be in a moment.
The Psychology of 100 Sketches
The number 100 is no accident. It’s ambitious, almost absurdly so. But that’s the point. By setting such a high target, the challenge encourages participants to let go of self-criticism. Quincy Nadel, a participant from Chicago, describes it as ‘exposure therapy’ for her perfectionism. This raises a deeper question: What if the key to improving isn’t striving for perfection, but embracing imperfection?
Nadel’s experience also highlights a broader cultural shift. She turned to sketching after feeling ‘digitally burnt out,’ using it as a way to reconnect with the physical world. Her sketchbook became a ‘permission slip’ to simply be, without the pressure of productivity. This is a detail that I find especially interesting because it speaks to a growing desire for mindfulness in an increasingly frenetic world.
The Hidden Stories in Everyday Life
What this really suggests is that sketching is about more than art—it’s about storytelling. Nadel focuses on the small details: the way someone leans into a conversation, the posture of a parent carrying a tired child. These are the moments that often slip through our peripheral vision, but they’re the ones that make life rich and meaningful.
Steel and Holmes emphasize that sketching changes how we process our surroundings. It’s not just about capturing a likeness; it’s about noticing the stories that unfold around us. This is where the challenge becomes something greater. It’s a reminder that the ‘ordinary’ is anything but. When we slow down, we see the beauty in the mundane, the poetry in the everyday.
A Movement, Not Just a Challenge
What many people don’t realize is that #OneWeek100People has grown into a global movement. It’s not just about drawing; it’s about building a community of people who share a desire to engage with the world more deeply. Holmes and Steel started the challenge as a way to stay connected, and it’s evolved into something much larger—a testament to the power of shared creativity.
From my perspective, this is what makes the challenge so enduring. It’s not just about the sketches; it’s about the connections, the conversations, and the collective act of noticing. In a world where we’re often isolated behind screens, this feels like a small but significant rebellion.
The Future of Sketching: A Call to Slow Down
If you take a step back and think about it, the #OneWeek100People challenge is a response to a larger cultural moment. We’re drowning in digital noise, constantly bombarded by images and information. Sketching offers a way out—a chance to reclaim our attention and our sense of presence.
Personally, I think this is just the beginning. As more people discover the joy of sketching, we might see a broader shift toward slower, more intentional ways of engaging with the world. It’s not about rejecting technology, but about finding balance. As Nadel puts it, ‘There’s a whole world happening at eye level if we just choose to see it.’
Final Thoughts: The Art of Being Present
In the end, #OneWeek100People is about more than drawing 100 people. It’s about rediscovering the art of being present, of noticing the world in all its complexity and beauty. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t just about making something new—it’s about seeing the world in a new way.
So, the next time you find yourself with a spare moment, grab a sketchbook and try it. You might be surprised by what you discover. After all, as Holmes says, ‘Drawing is my motivation to live a good life.’ And in a world that often feels chaotic, that’s a motivation we could all use a little more of.
