Blustery day for the Norwich Urban Sketchers meet up at Britannia Cafe today

John Poole Sketching the view of Norwich.

Had a lovely afternoon sketching at Cafe Britannia which has fantastic views of Norwich. It is located around Mousehold Heath a great place for walking. The cafe itself has an interesting history. It used to be Britannia Barracks and is now a prison.  The cafe is staffed by low risk prisoners that have volunteered to learn new skills and make a fresh start. It was really busy and the cakes were delicious.

View of Cafe Britannia. Its much bigger than my sketch suggests.

First attempt at the view only capturing the lower half

View of Norwich Cathedral from Mousehold Heath

Spikey Bracken in the foreground.

One week100 people sketch challenge complete!

Challenge completed! I managed to sketch 100 people in Norwich this week. I think that is quite an achievement! Didn't think I would manage it!! Really loved taking part. I was at the remarkable theatre of the Everyday !! Great people and characters!! Today I found a prime spot in cafe Nero which looked out onto Norwich Market. Great place to sketch full of life and colour. I went out without my pencil case today but luckily had one black non-permanent fine liner in my bag so I had to use that.When I got back home I used a water brush pen to bleed the lines which turn a lovely grey/ blue colour. I added a splash of colour using my Tombow duel tip pens. Last few sketches to get up to 100 people was at the bus stop on my way home and at coffee van. #oneweek100people2017.

Day 3 - #oneweek100people2017 - Norwich Bus Station

I had a lot of catching up to do today as I was at work yesterday and didn't get a chance to sketch. I decided to keep with theme of travel and to carry on using pencil. I sat in the station cafe next to the window with a cuppa tea and spent a few hours capturing the flow of buses and travellers. I definitely improved as I went along gaining more confidence with the mark making. I sketched about 30 people which leaves about 40 for the next couple of days!!

Day 1 - one week 100 people 2017 sketch challenge

Thought I would take part in the #oneweek100people2017 sketching challenge organised by Mark Taro Holmes and Liz Steel. I thought it would be a good opportunity to practice drawing people in crowds which I find difficult.

I decided to take a walk down to the train station to sketch the daily commuters. I managed to sketch about 29 people. 71 to go!! The perspective and proportions of the figures were difficult to capture quickly.

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Five

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Cafe Sketches Amsterdam

Cafe Welling 

Great atmosphere and characters. I think this is due to being situated behind the theatre. I always come here to sketch. It's like the theatre of the everyday!! Great old brown bars in Amsterdam. Great City!!

Koffie Huis

Kroller Muller Cafe

Amsterdam - Ferry crossing from Harwich to Hook of Holland

Last week I went on our annual student A'level art trip to Amsterdam.  Here are some sketches I did on the 8 hour ferry crossing from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. These sketches are made in the dinning area. I tried to capture the mood and atmosphere created by the vivid colours reflecting on  the shiny surfaces.

A group of lads whiled away time playing War Hammer board game.