A first for Birmingham

The first ever USK UK Get Together took place in Birmingham from the 9th to the 11th June to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the  global phenomenon that is Urban Sketchers. We draw on location showing our world one drawing at a time and Tessa Daley was the person responsible for organising and scouting locations such as the Cathedral, Gas Street Canal Basin and the Library of Birmingham for the eager pens and paintbrushes of some demanding sketchers.

Sketchers came from across the country including Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, London, Southampton as well as the Midlands. One intrepid sketcher, Stuart Goss even travelled from Germany, though he told me his nan lived locally.

The event was a great success with about 60 sketchers turning up. The sketches that were produced were terrific and I enjoyed seeing the wonderful talent on display. Our visit to Gas Street Canal Basin was particularly magical with sketchers on the towpaths, sketchers on the bridge, between the canal barges and of course sat outside the pub.

The evenings gave us the opportunity to chat and take a look through each other’s sketchbooks over a pint or two and of course do more sketching. Fabulous.

I’m looking forward to next year’s event wherever it might be.