PHOTOS: On a mission to sketch all 8 million New Yorkers
Artist Jason Polan, 27, a self-proclaimed New Yorker who was born outside of Detroit and moved to the city a few years ago, adds to his sketchbook while taking in the sights on 42nd Street. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
Polan discretely captures unsuspecting subjects on the corner of Prince and Broadway in SoHo. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
A sketch of people riding the Queens-bound No. 7 train. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
Polan draws passengers on the No. 7 train. After two years of spending part of every day sketching, he has about 8,300 drawings. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
Polan stands on the sidewalk in Midtown drawing passersby. In addition to this pursuit, he sketches for various publications, including Esquire magazine and the New York Times opinion page. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
Polan shows off a sketch from Grand Central Station. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
Polan watches the streets of SoHo. He rarely talks to his subjects and tries to avoid eye contact. “I never want to make anyone uncomfortable or be intrusive,” he says. (Michael Appleton / For the Times)
