Stockholm’s Nina Johansson draws her urban locale, year-round. One of the most fascinating areas she has captured is Slussen.
Her written notes are in Swedish, but her images speak for themselves. Here are some of her compelling sketches, and an explanation in her own words.
Feel free to add text to your sketches. Observations, overhead snippets and slogans like these can add a lot to mood as well as provide information and graphic energy.
“I draw a lot at a place called Slussen in Stockholm, a complex construction which is a bridge, a water sluice and a big traffic hub all at the same time. It’s a place full of tunnels, walkways and underground tracks, and there are people moving through it constantly. Lots of commuters pass through here every day, and since the city decided to demolish it years ago, the discussions have been vivid among both politicians and Stockholm’s inhabitants; protests have been held both for and against the plans for New Slussen.”
A combination of ink and grayscale markers suggests mood and pulls areas of the composition together.
“Because of the building plans, the place has been badly neglected for years; it is quite dilapidated in many places. This is an unusual sight in Stockholm, a city that is very polished and shows a pretty surface almost everywhere these days, which is part of why I like drawing at Slussen. Also, I find it incredibly interesting to document the same place over. The process of change and decay is as interesting as the people who pass through here every day.”
“I try to vary my choice of techniques when I draw here. Slussen is a pretty gray place with all the concrete, but with a beautiful play of light everywhere on a sunny day. So both color techniques and grayscale work fine here.”
An ink pen with a fine nib works well for capturing details, no matter where you sketch. Add people for scale.
Identify a building or area that’s about to be demolished or looks in danger of it. Your city government will have a list of buildings slated for demolition, or simply zero-in on one that looks dilapidated. Find a good place to work and visit it weekly or monthly to capture the progress. Of course, in some cases, a bulldozer will make quick work of removing a small house, so draw fast and stay out of the way of heavy machinery! If a foreman tells you to move, do it!