A few weeks ago I went to the first UK Urban Sketchers meet-up, kindly hosted by the Birmingham/Midlands sketch groups (sketches and reflections from the other participants are here). About 50 of us were there at various times over the weekend, sharing time, chat, sketch-books, kit ideas etc. It was like a very small and relaxed Symposium; no lectures, demos or workshops, so no tickets/costs! Instead we had a series of meet-ups each day at planned locations, introducing (most of) us to central Birmingham, and open to anyone who wanted. Apart from the social side it was very instructive to see other sketchers’ work on paper instead of on a screen, finding out how they’d achieved various effects, and how they chose their subjects. And it was lovely to finally meet online friends like Stuart, chatting about daily practise, considering why we post our sketches on Facebook, ‘next steps’ in our sketching etc. I hope this was just the first of many such UK meetings; any ideas for the next location? Bristol? Liverpool? Glasgow? Here are my sketches from the weekend…
First some ‘urban regeneration’ in progress. It took me a while to realise that the tower crane was hard to draw because it was moving, ‘weather-vaning’ in the wind…
Here’s a BBC reporter reporting on a demo. The cameraman told me the camera’s worth £50k, with £10k of that for the transmitter on its back, sending the images directly to the editing suite in the tower block looming in the background!
Stuart and me, sketch in progress, with the cameraman just visible between us. Sorry about the oddly toothy grin…
Here’s the demo they were reporting on.
A hen party at the bar we all met up in one evening. I had to stop sketching as some of them had spotted me and I was scared of being drawn into their exciting evening…
Fellow sketchers and one of the beautiful Burne-Jones windows in the small and light-filled Birmingham cathedral.
And finally sketches from the first evening; my speed-sketch of Isabel speed-sketching me, and Homephoenix Wong.
Mostly drawing 
What great memories … lovely!
Thanks, how’s the social media fast going?
I’ve been back for a peak, nearly posted on IG again. But I managed to resist. Actually starting to enjoy IG and FB-lessness. Will post a new blog page in a day or two. Bought Paul Heaston’s latest craftsy class and I’m doing the homework too. And that’s unusual.
I’m pondering a post on ‘why do I post on Facebook?’ so will be interested in your response! I can’t go near IG, far too fast for me, but my wife and daughter love it. I met Paul at the Manchester Symposium, very lovely chap, and it was wonderful to see how small most of his sketches are, standard Moleskine size!
My response? To your upcoming post? I’ll give you all I’ve got! I’m really having a fun time without FB and IG. Three people have already contacted me asking if everything’s ok. And I say, “More than ok!”
What a fun time this must have been! Great sketches, too, especially the one with the spinning crane!
– Tina
Thanks Tina, they’ve just put up a similar crane next to our house, so at least I know what’s happening now when it appears to be out of control at the weekend!
Your first sketch is pretty sick, what building/street is it?
Thanks, not sure of the name, it was near the park built around a disused train station
Ah I always wonder about the person’s sketch when I see them set up around the city. These are wonderful, especially the architecture and the stained glass. The first building seems mighty familiar though, but without the building work. It might be Curzon Street, the building near the Thinktank perhaps. I might have to keep a look out now. 😀
Many thanks Debbie, yup, it was near the Thintank, here it is in Google maps. I was behind these buildings on Bartholomew Row.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Albert+St+(Stop+BT1)/@52.4818112,-1.8888547,3a,75y,16h,98.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slPRd6xLoFo6tuoibpNrQ8w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x4870bc83bbb404df:0x7b40572139ead297!2sThinktank+Birmingham+Science+Museum!8m2!3d52.482531!4d-1.886773!3m4!1s0x4870bc845b923c8d:0xbc66d3c805f8005b!8m2!3d52.481712!4d-1.888986