Presentation by Paul Wang and Liz Steel, and Sketchcrawl in North Melbourne

What a treat to have Paul Wang and Liz Steel present to the Melbourne Urban Sketchers last Saturday (11/4). It was very informative for us - via slideshow and video, we saw some urban sketching events in other cities, Paul’s work over the years as well as a glimpse of his approach. We also heard about the upcoming symposium from Liz that got many of us excited.

 
The morning presentation was followed by sketching around Errol Street in North Melbourne.

This is the sketch I completed during the session, just outside the Town Hall and looking towards a row of shops.

Paul Wang facilitated the show and tell after sketching.

There was more sketching afterwards at the Auction Room cafe over drinks and food, and later at Joe Taylor Bar over drinks. It was a fun day that started at 10am and for some of us ended after dinner. 

Urban Sketchers Sydney: Saturday 02 August

Our next get together will be at the Australian Museum on Saturday 2 August.
Meet outside the entrance opposite Hyde Park at 9:45 for its 10:00am opening.

August is renowned for its winds so this provides a warm inside venue if required. You might like to look at the current display by the Scott sisters of watercolours they painted over a 20-year period for their father’s scientific publication on moths and butterflies. Also on display are some new additions to the skeletons exhibition.

If you aren’t interested in these, then of course there are lots of sketching opportunities in the city all around the museum.

Meet back at the foyer at 12.30 for a show and tell

Museum admission Adult $15 Concession $8  more details here

The Kokoda Track to Rivendell

Another great morning with the USK SYD gang - this time at Rhodes



We started the morning at the Kokoda memorial trail during a quick sketch in 45 minutes - most people sketching the Memorial Centrepiece.



Then we headed to Rivendell - Thomas Walker Convalescent Hospital. Chris gave us a great introduction at the gatehouse before we headed on down to the main building. A magnificent Free style Classical mansion on the shores of the Parramatta River..and a wonderful spot to spend the rest of the morning sketching.



Wonderful show and tell at the end of the morning as well!
A special thanks to Chris H for organising!
I have written a little more about the day on my blog

The BIG Draw in Melbourne

On 4 January, a bunch of sketchers from Melbourne came to participate in the BIG Draw event. It was an initiative apart of Melbourne Now (watch this video to see what its about) organized by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

There were around 70-80 sketchers at the event in Fed Square. Lots of the public came to have a sneaky peak over shoulders and see what we were doing and some were even adventurous enough to join in.  We enjoyed sitting out on deck chairs and sprawled across the stage with sketchbooks and clipboards (for the public) in hand. It was a good vantage point with lots to draw (including Flinders St Station, St Paul's, Fed Square and of course other sketchers etc). 

It was a little overwhelming but exciting seeing some of our previous urban sketches showing on the big screen, and they captured some footage of the event for a TV spot (which I never saw as we were still out sketching that night). All in all it was a great day to meet fellow sketchers and introduce the public to the wonderful world of urban sketching. 

 #melbournenow #urbansketchers #fedsquare

My sketches from day in Newcastle: Liz Steel

So here are my sketches from our great day in Newcastle.

It was impossible not to spend the first hour or so talking - with so many new people to meet and  good sketching friends to catch up with. And therefore it was a little hard to settle down to sketch - so I  did a number of quick loose sketches of the Customs House tower and the old Post office.

The afternoon was more relaxing as a smaller group headed down to Queens Wharf area -such a beautiful day and a great place to sketch. I hope to be able to come back to Newcastle again soon.

I was working in a new Stillman & Birn Gamma book and also sheets of Cold Press Fabriano - more about it on my blog

Urban Sketching in Newcastle

What a wonderful day we had at Newcastle today- the first regional USK event we have organised.

Over 15 sketchers from Sydney travelled on the train (2.5 hours) up to meet some local sketchers. We had a perfect summers day and a wonderful inspiring time sketching together!

A number of us stayed till the 4.30pm train back to Sydney and had a lovely time by the river in the afternoon!

A special thanks to Phil Bamford who did an amazing job of organising the day- including an information board with a map of essential details....here are a few photos from the day. I will post sketches later!

USK AUS in Newcastle Saturday 11 Jan

We are very excited to announce our first Urban Sketchers Australia regional event to be held in Newcastle on Saturday 11 January 2014

Meet at Customs House 1 Bond St Newcastle (just across the road from the station)
between 9.30 - 11.30 before heading off to explore the surrounding area for the rest of the day.

More details will be posted in early January but please keep the date free!

Two train options from Sydney 
Departing Central 07:15am Arriving Newcastle 09:58am
Departing Central 08:15am Arriving Newcastle 11:03am

For more details contact:
Phil Bamford (Newcastle)     phil.bamford [at] gmail [dot] com
Liz Steel (Sydney)         lizsteel [at] gmail [dot] com

Everyone welcome!!!! Really looking forward to it!