It was lockdown. I’d been drawing portraits online – of individuals, couples, parents, children, pets. Towards the end, a woman got in touch with me by email, hoping she wasn’t too late to take part.
The name at the bottom of the email was Olivia Colman.
Was it the Olivia Colman (the Oscar-winning actress)? I didn’t know, and couldn’t think how to ask.
***
The time came
I waited at my desk for the session to start, feeling nervous.
I didn’t want global stardom to interfere with my drawing ability, and I didn’t want the disappointment to show on my face if it turned out to be somebody else.
To manage my nerves I sketched myself, waiting.
Then this happened (click to play):
(Edited highlight.)