Ben Rubin's NYC iPad Creatures Are Taking Instagram By Storm
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Ben Rubin's NYC iPad Creatures Are Taking Instagram By Storm

The Man Behind Subway Doodle

288
Ben Rubin's NYC iPad Creatures Are Taking Instagram By Storm
Ben Rubin

If you have ever been to New York City, you have probably taken the subway. One of New York's coolest artists has taken this Big Apple staple to the next level and turned it into a canvas.

Day in and day out, Ben Rubin the man behind the Subway Doodle Instagram account, would take the subway from Brooklyn to Manhattan and back for work. It was on long commutes where Subway Doodle was born.

"I started sketching on my iPad during my commute just to pass the time. One day I took a picture with my iPad on the train and drew over the picture." said Ben, "It was fun so I did another. And another. Then it just kind of continued from there."

Since then, @Subwaydoodle has garnered close to 17,000 followers, all just waiting for the next creature to appear on their feeds.

Most of his pieces are centered around what is happening in that moment, whether that be the heat wave that is hitting New York right now, poking fun at the political circus happening out in the world, or just playing to the actions happening on the subway.

Ben said, "While most of the doodles are based in the subway, inspiration can strike at anytime. I take a lot of pictures. Only a few become doodles."

And some of the most liked ones are ones that take place outside of the subway, but still show that little bit of New York spirit.

Each of these little masterpieces takes Ben about 2-4 hours to complete, and he says "The beauty of drawing on an iPad is that I can draw anywhere anytime," naming his three favorite places as on the subway listening to music, on the couch while watching TV, and in bed.

Ben has been creating art since he was 6-years-old and received a BFA from SUNY Albany where his concentration was oil painting. You can really see that training in his attention to detail and layers in each of his drawings.

When I asked Ben if anyone had ever reached out to him saying that they were the person featured in one of his pieces, he said when they have it's been positive. "One of the doodles had a silly creature emerging from the window of an NYPD police car. I received a message from a woman who said,'That’s my husband’s patrol car!'"

Do you want to try your hand at iPad drawing? Check out Procreate, the app that Ben is currently using for his drawings and the stylus that he swears by, here.

If you're looking for some other cool art Instagram accounts, Ben shared his favorites with me. Feel free to check them out below:

@catscoffeecreativity

@underground_nyc

@_fabricios_

@robotswillkill


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56314
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36268
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958192
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188088
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments