Sketches from Manchester: before the symposium

I am collecting the sketches I made at annual Urban Sketchers Symposium, and recalling fond memories of drawing together with like-minded folks from around the world. This year, the Symposium took place in Manchester, UK. It is a walkable city full of canals, brick buildings, Gothic details, and modern glass architecture to explore with my drawings. I had about a day-and-a half in Manchester before the official events started, and I already love this city.

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My first sketch in Manchester: I have arrived at the Palace Hotel, which is built in 1895 during the height of Victorian era. This is the bar area showing original columns and tiles. I note that the courtyard behind the bar is covered in glass skylight to keep the elements away.

This is a sweeping view of the Palace Hotel from Whitworth Street, with Oxford Street train station to the right.






Canals run below the busy Oxford Street, where the Palace Hotel is located. This is a view of Chepstow House as seen from Rochdale Canal path. It was peaceful aside from geese fighting among themselves.

On the next day, I scribbled some sketches of what I noted at Manchester architecture tour: cityscape next to River Irwell, Imperial War Museum, Etihad Stadium (home of Manchester United), Ancoats (birthplace of Industrial Revolution), and Stevenson Square in Northern Quarter. It was an informative and fascinating introduction to Manchester.




In the meantime, this pub, Peveril of the Peak, has a green tiled front, which makes it stands out from typical red brick buildings common in Manchester. Many of us were gathering here to drink and draw each night. Check out this post to see other sketcher's take on the same pub!




And the symposium begins...I'll be posting more sketches in another post.