Recent sketches...channeling bcn

G-Mex approach, Manchester

I'm having a few technical issues posting on the main Urban Sketchers homepage (which I'm hoping will soon be resolved) but thought in the meantime I would post here, as my recent work has definitely been inspired by Barcelona. I had a drawing expedition Thursday afternoon into Manchester city centre. Firstly a quick warm up sketch and then a couple of more ambitious cityscapes. Anyone who did James Richard's excellent workshop at bcn will probably recognise I'm channeling Placa Catalunya with the G-Mex drawing...I drew the foreground first then added the buildings behind. The square was crowded with Manchester City fans as G-Mex was hosting a pre-season launch event. Very gloomy dark Manchester skies and a lot of rather sombre Victorian buildings in brick and sandstone meant I found myself using a very limited colour palette throughout, what turned out to be, a very productive afternoon of sketching.

St Peter Square, Manchester

Here's a sketch from another miserable afternoon (weather-wise!), sketching with the Manchester group at the Whitworth Art Gallery. At the end of the session there was just time for a quick sketch and seemed a great opportunity to use non waterproof ink...thanks again to Norberto Dorrantes for a fabulous workshop!

Oxford Road, Manchester

Such a brilliant time in Barcelona, and I'm aware I only scratched the surface, so many people to meet, so much to inspire....so many new sketching friends. Until next time I wish you all well.

Reflecting on my time at bcnUSk2013

Settled back in Manchester after an exhilarating few days in Barcelona…my first USk symposium and already my Facebook timeline is overflowing with fabulous drawings by my new USk friends. Beforehand I hadn't appreciated how emotional and rather overwhelmed I would feel after such an intense, vibrant and rewarding few days...it's been quite a come down, but at least it's as unseasonally warm in Manchester as in Barcelona! 

Pre symposium sketchcrawl 1

Pre symposium sketch crawl 2

Must say a big thanks to my fabulous workshop tutors James Richards, Tia and Paul, Norberto, Marion and Luis. My work is now more confident, more expressive and I feel personally more interesting. I teach drawing at degree level to interior design students here in Manchester and it was such a privilege, for a change, to take a back seat and be directed! Personal highlight was 'Dynamic Ink - drawing with non waterproof ink' with Norberto Dorantes. Who knew a 1€ felt tip pen could be so liberating! Just loved the quick impact of this style of drawing - and as an added bonus got to properly catch up with the lovely Liz Steel who I have been in contact with online for a while now. So great, as with so many other people to put faces to names - and sketches!! Also can't not mention Ch’ng Kiah Kiean's 'Sketching with Dry Twig and Chinese Ink' demonstration - just brilliant!

Drawing with non waterproof ink 2

Drawing with non waterproof ink 3

Hard to summarise in a few words, but so many fabulous sketchers, so many interesting people - and from such diverse backgrounds. I expected the architects, landscape architects, graphic designers and illustrators etc, but hadn't banked on lawyers, accountants, microbiologists (to be fair I only met one of these!)...and of course from all round the world, did I hear 60 countries were represented? So then, how exciting to be part of such an eclectic but committed group of individuals all drawn together (sorry couldn't resist!), by our love of location drawing and sketching the world around us.

James Richards at his workshop

Ch'ng Kiah Kiean's finished demonstration

Finally a very big thank you to Swasky and the team in Barcelona, we can't underestimate how much effort and hard work it took to organise such a seamless and memorable event. Congratulations to all involved. Like everyone else, can't wait to hear where it'll be held next year - but please count me in!

Saturday's Sketchcrawl sketch (in between talking)!

In the meantime I look forward to keeping in touch with all my USk new friends, have a great summer everyone. I'll finish with a couple of post bcnUSK2013 Manchester sketches...needless to say, if anyone finds themselves in Manchester (UK), please do get in touch. I love my city and am a good tour guide! Until next time, happy urban sketching.

Manchester Albert Square (during Manchester International Festival 2013)

Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery

Greetings from Manchester, UK!

A big hello to all fellow urban sketchers, I feel very privileged to be joining you in Barcelona and like other correspondents on this Symposium blog, I am counting down the days until July!

Urban sketching has been on the periphery of what I do for a number of years, but it was only thanks to being invited to an Urban Sketchers Singapore private view last summer where I met the fabulous Tia Boon Sim and colleagues, that I felt really inspired to focus on this wonderful style of reportage drawing. Now almost a year on...I am completely addicted! 

Last October I started an informal Manchester urban sketching group with help from USK Correspondent Caroline Johnson who had recently returned to England from Rennes, France (now a good friend)! We are a small but committed group of sketchers and hopefully we'll be an official group soon.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester. Watercolour & Pen, 2013

Bit about me...I'm an architect by profession and now full-time lecturer at Manchester School of Art. I'm a member of the Society of Architectural Illustration here in the UK but most importantly I am an urban sketcher! I was really anxious I wouldn't get a place at the Symposium and was absolutely thrilled when I did. I follow a number of you on flickr and I genuinely find your work - and approach to your work inspiring...it will be lovely to meet you all in person!


Here are a couple of my recent sketches - I am on flickr and this is my blog

Milan Cathedral, pen and watercolour, April 2013

All Saint's Gardens, Manchester, pen & watercolour, March 2013

And here I am sketching in London yesterday...(May 17th).

Southbank, London. pen & watercolour, May 2013

That's enough from me for now....happy urban sketching everyone and hope to see you in Barcelona!!