For most of my life I have drawn in some format. I studied Art for GCSE and A-level, and I enjoy getting out a sketch pad to dabble in recording scenes I see before me – or sometimes scenes that I see in my head. It is a great way of recording design ideas that I may have had, or capturing my love of nature, animals (horses have historically figured quite significantly – but now my house rabbits each have their own dedicated sketch pad), and the wider built environment.

I would not say I am particularly expert, but I enjoy it. Sitting in the sunshine with pen and paper are all that is needed. You can listen to the birds, feel the weather and be present in that moment. Sometimes I use pen, crayons or watercolours (though both times I have recently used watercolours outdoors it has drizzled…!), but predominantly my sketch pads are filled with black and white pencil drawings.

But I have had long periods – especially pre-2020 – when I barely picked up a pencil, despite thinking repeatedly to myself that I should do otherwise.

I have always enjoyed visiting Open Studios and art galleries (the saleroom type as well as the public museum type) when possible, and these last few years in Norfolk has been no exception. One I am particularly fond of, is the studio of Denise Allen https://www.deniseallen.co.uk/ , and always take the opportunity to pop in if I see a ‘Studio Open’ sign out.

On several occasions, I have been recommended local sketching groups as an opportunity to meet as a group of like-minded individuals. An excuse to not only be more social, but to be more creative. I’ve been fully reassured that it doesn’t matter what level of expertise ‘you’ have, just come along and join in.

As I have been toying with the idea for some time, this seemed a very fitting activity to do as part of my 40 at 40 series.

Having been directed to two possible groups – Norwich Urban Sketchers, meeting on Wednesday mornings, and the East Suffolk Plein Air Painting group – I investigated both. As it happens, there is another Norwich Urban Sketching group that meets one Sunday a month, so I had an additional choice to make.

It turned out that the first month, both events were on the same day (of course), so I decided to alternate (thinking that they would always clash being the last Sunday in the month). As it happens, the Norwich Urban Sketches is the third Sunday (I think) so there will be some months that I could attend both, other engagements notwithstanding. Sadly, with getting a new job (which is itself a good thing) I am having to relocate, so may not be able to continue with either group for much longer – though I shall try for as long as I can.

So, on the 25^th August, I joined Norwich Urban Sketchers (in Norwich… obviously) and on 29^th September, I joined the East Suffolk Plein Air painters at Oulton Broad. Two different, but equally friendly, groups. This gave me the opportunity to play with two different styles/ ideas of outdoor painting – urban and more rural, quick sketches and longer studies. In theory.

Whilst each group was set up such that after the initial meeting, we each dispersed (individually or with others as we liked), the format/ timing of the gathering seemed to be (in that first instance at least) the reverse of each other. By which I mean, the Norwich Urban Sketchers met briefly to discuss possible sketching and the time and place to rejoin and natter over a coffee; whilst the East Anglia Plein Air (EAPA) group meat and nattered over a coffee before dispersing. Whilst I was assured that there is often another coffee chat and picture share opportunity after the EAPA session, as the weather was overcast and cool, the end of the session was vaguer, with us all drifting away when it suited. I’m hoping to be able to join them this month to test this theory out.

Sketching in Norwich at the end of August, meant we were able to enjoy the last of the Norwich Summer sessions, so in glorious sunshine I enjoyed getting my sketch pad, pencil crayons and sketching pens out to live folk-rock music. Drawing people is a skill I don’t particularly have, and ‘in the wild’ should be undertaken careful and politely – not everyone is happy to be so studied. But it is also a skill which is useful for gaining a sense of perspective and for populating spaces. As such, I was working on this, carefully positioning myself at the back of the audience to ensure audience privacy. (Of course, there was a slight issue with this when oblivious members of the public stood right in front of me… but we can’t have it all 😀 ).

As an architect, I obviously can’t resist sketching buildings in the urban setting and tried to work on my shading technique – but picking the sweeping 1950s John Lewis Store may have been a step too far. But if you don’t try, you’ll never know, and I will at least always have this recognisable feature in my sketch pad to reflect on a lovely day.

By contrast, the meeting in Oulton Broad at the end of September was overcast, cold and peaceful. Rather than focusing on one key study – which I had anticipated/ intended – I ended up completing a number of sketches and studies. Instead of continuing the challenge of people, I focused on boats as something different. Starting with sketches of a range of vessels which were clearly either getting ready or participating in a local event. I moved on to a watercolour study of a characterful boat moored in the quay, yet another challenge. For my first watercolour painting in several years – and first ever boat! – I’m fairly happy with it.

May this 40at40 event be the start of good, creative, and relaxing habits.