A Sketch and a Symposium

On Saturday almost two weeks ago (already!) we had a sketch day at Norscot Manor, a recreation centre which houses the Watercolour Society of South Africa. There was a wonderful demo first of wild and free watercolour by Angela Eidelman, and then some of us scattered ourselves around the grounds to sketch. I think a few people were expecting a sketching lesson too, which I wasn't prepared for, but think that will happen sometime soon. I need to practice... see why below...!

Though I did too much talking and not a lot of sketching, it was lovely to meet some new potential Joburg sketchers and a blogging virtual friend, Cathy of C comme... her descriptive version of the afternoon and sketching experience is here. I did a hasty, rough sketch while sitting chatting at the restaurant. Only once most people had left did I sit in the green shade and sketch the scene above - putting everything in, homestead, arch, pergola, palm, oak, bench, birdbath and koi pond... I must learn to edit my sketches!

Now for the need to practice... because I have... been invited... to go to the Urban Sketchers Symposium in Lisbon, as one of the international instructors, would you believe!! I am beside myself not only with excitement, but a large dose of nerves. I was hoping to go to the symposium, as a student not a teacher, knowing there is so much I need to learn about sketching cities and architecture, and to be on the other side of the lectern so to speak, is something new and well, gobsmacking. But it will be fantastic, and there will be help and support and camaraderie, and I hope I'll meet some of you there.
To Gabi Campanario and his Lisbon Urban Sketchers team, thank you so much!