MelbourneUSk Final Meet 2017

Melbourne Urban Sketchers had a successful full day event on the 9th of December in the Fitzroy Gardens area. 

On the way there on the train I got unexpectedly bussed from Dandenong to Caulfield Stations due to a train line disruption but it was a smooth express ride on the freeway so luckily no time was lost. 

The group met at Burston Reserve in the city at 9.30am where we picked up our goodie bags of art materials (courtesy of Senior Art Supplies for this special sketchmeet), our pre-ordered Melbourne Urban Sketchers T-shirts and handmade folding journals (made expertly by volunteer members of the group). 

I decided to use the new folding journal. 

There was lots to sketch around Burston Reserve like the Great Petition sculpture. It was unveiled in 2008 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in the state of Victoria. The scroll-like sculpture was fun to draw with many sketchers seated inside the scrolls.

 St Paul's Cathedral was visible from my comfy seat among the palm trees. The cathedral is very impressive from its front but I was too lazy to walk over to the front so I settled for a view of the back. 

At the end of the morning there was the usual sharing of sketches. It's always amazing to see the range of different interpretations...followed by the always fun group photo. 

Kere Kere Cafe in the adjacent Fitzroy Gardens was the lunch venue and the eager group was then treated to a speedy 45 minute watercolour demonstration by MelbUSk member Jay Parappil. 

Much inspired, I spent the rest of the lazy afternoon sketching Captain Cook's Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. 

The cottage was originally built in 1755 in Yorkshire, England, by the parents of Captain James Cook. (James Cook was the English explorer who made the first recorded European exploration of the Eastern coast of Australia in 1770). The cottage was dismantled, each brick numbered, shipped to Australia in 1934 and reassembled at the present site. It is a popular tourist attraction.

The perfect day ended with much laughter over the excellent lucky draw prizes, sharing of sketches and final group photo (unfortunately I didn't win anything). A couple of Captain Cook's Cottage guides dressed in their 18th century costumes were thrilled to recognize themselves in some sketches and stayed to have their photo taken with the group.

I made some new friends among the 40 sketchers at this meet and look forward to more sketchmeets in 2018.

Group photos courtesy of Melbourne USk.

Marker pen, #Moleskinesketchbook 3.5”x5.5”. Marker pens and watercolour on handmade folded journal.