 |
| Plaza del Pi |
I had the best day sketching with the Barcelona sketchers on Saturday. I'd like to thank everyone for making me feel welcome, speaking English on my behalf, and putting up with my bad Spanish, especially Cesar and Dave. Also, Sagar, Antonio, Saki, Silvie... EVERYONE was so nice!!!
Muchas gracias a todos!!!!
I wanted to join the Barcelona sketchers partially because I've seen their amazing drawings online, but mainly because I've only done small SketchCrawls that I have arranged. Small - well Saturday was anything but small as the SketchCrawl coincided with the 1st urban drawing contest in sketchbooks. (1er Concurso de dibujo urbano en libreta). 274 people participated in the contest plus there were us non-participants. Incredible!!! I have never seen so many people drawing at the same time, not even in college.
 |
| Sketchers in doorways & by walls... |
 |
| ...and in the shade & cafe... |
 |
| ... on the floor, against a tree... |
 |
| ...on stools, in the flowers... |
 |
| ...EVERYWHERE THERE WERE SKETCHERS! |
The SketchCrawl started at Plaça Catalunya, where Cesar, Dave & I, along with lots of others, headed up to the café at the top of El Corte Inglés. My eye was caught by a yellow & orange tower, so I had to draw it.
Next it was on to the church of Santa Ana, where I chose to draw the flower stall. I was going to add colour but liked the lines as they were.
Moving on to Plaza de la Catedral, I had an unsuccessful time due to rain stopping the watercolour I was trying to do, twice, so I gave up and drew some gargoyles instead.
It was suggested that I finish the watercolour by memory, but I think I will just return one afternoon and continue where I left off.
Then, it was finally lunchtime and I was invited to join Cesar & friends. At the restaurant, sketchbooks were shared and drawing continued whilst we waited for our food.
 |
| Got to love paper place mats! |
After a scrummy lunch, it was onto Plaza de San Felip Neri, which is where I sketched all the sketchers above. Then on to the last site on the crawl map, Plaza del Pi (top sketch). I was sitting on the floor with some Spanish girls, when we all decided we just couldn't draw any more. I had an invitation for an art exhibition so headed off there.
I had passed invites onto the others, so after contacting them to say it wasn't worth going, I joined them for a drink. Two & a half hours after I stopped sketching, I ended up doing 2 more... it's compulsive if those around you are drawing, honestly. More sketchbooks were shared and materials too.
 |
| 6.30pm Plaza del Pi / 9pm George & Dragon pub |
Saturday's SketchCrawl was the longest day I have ever spent sketching, the furthest I have walked on a Crawl, and the most fun with the nicest people. All in all the best day!
Thank you again Barcelona sketchers.
******
If you want to know more about SketchCrawl, please visit the site SketchCrawl.com
The site of the Barcelona sketchers is here.
Please forgive the quality of sketch photos, I haven't located anywhere to scan drawings yet.
