On My Table: Beginning of August 2026

August is here, and the truth is, despite the fact that I returned home almost two weeks ago, all of my trip tools are still living in my backpack, and I take them to drawing outings. Nothing was taken out, nothing was added. Is this a sign that I packed well? Or that it takes time to let go of the trip memories? Or that my cup was full after the trip and I enjoy the memory of it by keeping all the tools in the same place/color order? Or that there was so much going on since I came home that I did not have time to unpack/repack? Some from each of these I think :) There are many images in this post as I am posting all the photos with details about pencils and paints, etc. As you can see, Sketchbook 165 expanded quite a bit - I managed to fit all my France travel there and now am working in a lovely hot press sketchbook from Etchr, which they gifted me recently. 






Toulouse, France 2026: Trip to the Urban Sketchers Symposium and a few days around It. Part 4: Rooftops

After the Symposium, there were opportunities to go further from the hub and sketch in more unusual places. One of my favorite ways to see a new city is to find a good rooftop view! I had some wonderful company to sketch with in both places and used my gouache kit (see post about my trip tools) and some pencils over it.




Toulouse, France 2026: Trip to the Urban Sketchers Symposium and a few days around It. Part 3: People

The best part of USk Symposium? People!

Since my return from the trip, I've been thinking a lot about different aspects of the Symposium experience, and every time my mind goes back to PEOPLE. People I knew who made me super welcome. People I knew only online but finally met in person. People I've never known but now have an amazing connection to. People who came to my workshops and gouache demo. People who shared the experience of sketching in a hot city with lots of other sketchers. It was amazing! I drew people as much as I could, but I wish I'd drawn more :) 

Here are some of the people sketches - no names ;)