I just felt the need to have a solo sketching day and try to fit in as many things on my check list as possible… so that is what I did this day.

… for example this sketch – there is no way that I could have attempted that with someone beside me (I probably would have tried to sketch and talk and this sketch needed my full concentration…and more!)

Placa Real…. One of the most important public spaces in BCN and I had not visited it this trip (walking down Las Ramblas was not one of my favourite things to do)

A quick morning sketch while the trucks did all their deliveries to the cafes lining the square.(thankfully no trucks where in  my direct view but I have to make sure I didn’t get run over!)

 

Palau Guell – a Gaudi building that I did not visit in 2003 when was first in BCN. Great to have a solo architectural visit to this amazing building.

The main central space/ dome. I added extra paint when I was up on the roof but managed to get most of it done inside without being disturbed. Fun to draw something so tightly designed in a loose style

 And of course … more fun on the roof with the chimneys! Fun Fun FUN!

Unscheduled stop into the cathedral. I wasn’t sure when it was free to enter but when I saw people strolling in decided that I would pop in for a quick sketch…
….but then I was running out of time for sketching a certain building with the morning sun on it – Caixa de Pensions. Love it!

 

 Palau de la Musica … was on my top 5 list of buildings I want to sketch. I don’t think I have ever attempted a more complicated facade… I was working fast and didn’t want to get bogged down. It was challenging but I had a lot of fun!

 Desperate to sketch the outside of Santa Maria del Mar so I went on a long walk south to sketch it and then felt like I needed a break… how about some tea??? Back to Caj Chai for the third time!

I was still on a mission to draw shop fronts… how about the tearoom and the place next door?
I then found myself in a little square that many people had told me about and it was to be the location for Omar/Joao’s workshop but on the final morning of the symposium was being used for a soccer match!

Combination photo of my solo day…. two friends at the end of the day. The guy working in the place next to the tearoom that I sketched and Miguel (Freekhand) who I caught up with in the evening. To see his sketchbook in real life is mind blowing!