See how easy it is to get out your pen and paints and begin sketching live action… as it happens! Live! In front of you! For real!

Mrs Rayner took up tennis a year ago and most Fridays she goes to the tennis club for a group coaching session.

Last week I joined her, but Instead of a racket, I took my pens and paints and sketched the action as it happened.

Tennis is a fast moving game. so you have to watch and see the poses that you like and then take a mental picture and then just get on with it. The player is still there to get the clothing and hair details from, but you have to remember the pose as best as possible – maybe watch other players to see if they adopt a similar pose in the meantime.

The secret is to just do it. Most people will be amazed that you are even having a go – they wouldn’t dare. And you will only improve by doing it.

In the meantime, you are building your muscle memory, building a memory portfolio for future projects and you are getting to know your materials intimately.

I sketched for about and hour and a half and was quite tired at the end. Brain work is the hardest work! Have a go yourself this weekend!

There maybe a court in your local park. Just ask the players if they mind you sketching them. They will be thrilled! Let them take a photo on their phones afterwards… they’ll have a story to dine out on!