On the vibrant 18th of December 2023, the Downtown Sketchers kicked off their 3rd gathering of the December at the illustrious North Western, a grade II listed gem that once stood as the North Western Hotel. With a rich history tied to Liverpool Lime Street Station, this 330-room marvel was a creation of the esteemed Liverpool-born architect, Alfred Waterhouse.
Our artistic pilgrimage led us to a cozy alcove at the back upstairs, where a large table awaited our creative conquest. This marked our second time this year at this Wetherspoon pub, and the promise of unlimited coffee refills fueled our passion as we settled in to sketch, our tools poised to dance across the paper to capture the North Western’s unique charm.
As winter weather painted the markets outside with a frosty touch, we huddled around our creative hub, capturing the essence of the season on paper. The warmth of artistic camaraderie warmed the air, and our sketches reflected the beauty found within the juxtaposition of historical architecture and the festive winter atmosphere.
The much-anticipated “throw-down” ensued, unveiling a tapestry of intriguing and creative works. Each sketch told a story, a snapshot frozen in time by the skilled hands of our urban sketching community. And just when we thought the festivities couldn’t get any better, our Quiz Master, Chris, treated us to a delightful Christmas quiz. Laughter echoed through the historic walls as we put our knowledge to the test, concluding with a draw for the winner—though in our urban sketching family, everyone emerged victorious.
As the day wound down, the North Western stood as witness to another chapter in our artistic journey. The invitation extended to all—why not join us for an urban sketching adventure in the New Year? The canvas awaits, and the Downtown Sketchers eagerly anticipate the strokes of creativity that new members bring to the ever-expanding masterpiece of our shared experiences. Come be a part of the vibrant tapestry that is urban sketching with us!
