Sketches from the Poznan symposium
Posted: August 30, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Poznan, Stary Rynek, Urban Sketchers Symposium, watercolour sketch 17 CommentsIf you read my previous post, you know I had some trouble sketching in Berlin. Happily, that changed once I arrived in Poznan, Poland, for the Urban Sketchers Symposium.
If you follow the social media accounts of other sketchers who were there (and there were hundreds, both registered for the event or just there to sketch with friends) you would have seen a multitude of sketches from Stary Rynek, the Old Market Square in Poznan. The centrepiece of the square is the Renaissance town hall, but the square is lined with colourfully restored ornate buildings, restaurants, huge umbrellas, and crowded with people at almost any time of day or night.
For my first sketch I chose the fisherman’s houses — narrow buildings decorated with geometric designs and elaborate medallions. I sketched quite early in the day before the crowds arrive, but by noon this part of the square filled up with hundreds of people with necks craned and cameras pointed at the town hall, waiting for the two goats that come out from the tower twice a day to butt heads. Goats are a theme in Poznan. I wish I had added a few to my sketchbook pages, but there wasn’t much time left after teaching.
For my workshop location, I chose the quieter side of the square where I found some shade, a few benches, a water spout and a respite from the crowds. From there, we faced one of the most beautiful facades on the square — the 18th century eagle-topped Działyński Palace, which escaped damage during World War II.
On one afternoon I had a bit of time to sketch on my own before the event started. I found a shady corner to paint the late day crowds on the square.
It’s hard to summarize what it’s like to attend an Urban Sketcher’s symposium. In between teaching, reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, attending lectures, taking workshops, touring booths at the art market and running between various locations, there’s barely time to breathe. But it’s also the most inspiring and exciting sketching event I have ever attended, and that is true for all 8 I have been to. I don’t have enough adjectives to describe the talent and skill level of sketchers who attend the event or who come on their own as independent sketchers.
Organizing a USk symposium is a gargantuan task, and I send out a huge thank you to the many, many local volunteers who organized all the events, proudly showed us around the city, led us to our locations, stood by while we taught, distributed supplies and fended off curious bystanders. A big thank you also goes out to all of the event sponsors and especially my workshop sponsor — Winsor & Newton — who generously supplied pencils, paper and many tubes of paint!
As always, it takes a long time to come down from the high of an event like this. It was the same way I felt after my first symposium in 2012 and after every one I’ve attended since. I have a drawer full of new supplies to try, a stack of new books to read, a head full of ideas, and many months of winter ahead of me in my studio to practice what I’ve learned in Poznan. If you were one of the lucky people who was there too, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
I’ll just have to live this symposium through your eyes, Shari. These are great! I particularly love the one of the palace, but the one with the crowd in the square keeps calling me back for another look.
Thanks so much for having a look, Joan. I am happy to share my experiences. I I realize that this type of event is not for everyone, both because of cost and distance, but also because many would not enjoy the fast pace of this. But glad I could experience it and share my impressions.
What a lovely tribute to Poznan and the personnel and visitors for the symposium. I would imagine it to be rather insane as well as inspiring. Your paintings really catch the bustle of the crowds and the beauty of the building. Really great expressions here, in color and in word.
Thanks so much for reading and for having a look, Naomi. Insane is a good word to describe one aspect of the experience. Glad I could share this little bit of what I saw there.
Nice to read you had such an intense and good time. Pity Toulouse is in the middle of July else I would be tempted to go after this read!
Yes, it was a tremendously fun event. I won’t be in Toulouse either, although I will be in France, teaching in Alsace. NO doubt it will be incredible too!
Love how you’ve captured Poznan!
You sum up the Symposium so well! It was my second, first as a registered participant.
Meeting old friends and new, teachers and the people I teach was such fun.
The atmosphere was amazing. Incredible organization and an incredible community spirit amongst the sketchers!
I still haven’t scanned or posted my sketches, still too overwhelmed!
Love the sketches and the words. The tiredness will pass but the memories will last!
Tony, that is so true. I am finally starting to recover, but it took a full week! Of course I am 13 years older than I was at my first symposium. Let’s not discount that : )
A sketchers symposium sounds like a dream I might have. Love your obsession. The shadows are especially good. Great stuff.
Shari, it was so nice to finally meet you, while you were sketching in the Town Square early in the morning. I am blessed to have some of your online classes. Many of us have our fingers crossed 🤞🏻 that one day the committee will select Canada!
Cindy
Pennsylvania, USA
Cindy, it was really nice to meet you too! Fingers crossed for a Canadian symposium!!
Beautiful work….as always! The inclusion of people is wonderful. Are they added after your initial washes of background buildings? Amazing work that continues to evolve…better and better continually! Thanks for sharing.
Bernadette, those are very kind words. Thank you so much!!
I draw the people in at the beginning but I paint them at the end. But I always draw them first so that I can save some whites on them.
Terrific reportage. Sounds amazing. Having attended two (though not as a teacher), I concur – incredible experience.
Thanks Alison. Poland is a place I would love to return to. There’s so much to see there.
Good Evening dear friend Shari,
All the three images are excellent.
Thanks for sharing.
Though, I follow all your art worl, but as usual busy and lazy to put comments.
Apologies.
Wishing you to be happy always.
All the best and good luck.
With Love, Regards and blessings
Sincerly- Uma🙏