The last week of my trip was spent in Geneva, Switzerland as I was invited to teach at the annual Swiss Urban Sketchers Symposium.

This was a very special way to finish my big 9-week European adventures!

I had a lovely morning roaming the streets of the old town – and hey, look there is a Caran d’Ache store. For the record I didn’t go inside on this occasion  as I was on a mission to do some work!

I went to check out my workshop location and do some prep – what a gorgeous spot!

And then I met up with Santi Salles who was also doing workshop prep (the only other instructor in Geneva at that time).

It was so wonderful to see Santi again and we had a great time sketching on a beautiful clear sunny day.

After lunch we met up with some of the organisers and the lovely Krystyna took us on a little tour of the Old Town.

This was K’s recommendation for chocolate but I didn’t go inside. So restrained, hey?

Hmm, I’m not sure I had any Swiss chocolate while I was in the country!

On the second time walking past the Caran d’ache store I did go inside!

I bought one Neocolor II – Jade Green – which Santi loves. It’s now officially called Santi Jade!

I then went back to my workshop location to see what it was like in afternoon lighting and used the Santi Jade straight away!

Uma then arrived in Geneva and the first place we went was… the Caran d’Ache store – of course!

So I went in again!

A fun dinner which included drooling over Neocolor II colour combinations.

On the next morning I went back to my workshop location for the third time! (BTW This was Day 58 of my trip!)

My workshop involved doing a number of thumbnail exercises which built on each other. There were many options that could be used for these shape drawings at this location. So on my third visit I finally decided on which views to use.

I then did a crazy sketch with Neoart and watercolour (Neoart first) of the cathedral.

The afternoon was taken up at the Caran d’Ache factory. The tour was amazing!!!!

Here is a page of rough sketches I did.

And a few photos.

Oh the colour!!!!

So yummy!

The gang in the store!!!

What did I buy?

I had decided earlier in my trip that I would treat myself to all the special edition sets.

Santi and I wanted to do a sketch before dinner so we walked to the ‘Smurf House’. It was a bit too ugly for our taste…

But we found a nearby building that we did like.

I did a second watercolour version. And then a quick sketch at the instructors dinner.

Oh look- it’s Lapin!!! So nice to see him again!

I was very happy to spend time with other instructors (first time meeting them) including Marielle Durand, Phil Dean (shoreditchsketcher), John Hollander and Albert Kiefer (Housesketcher).

On the Thursday morning I spent some time helping the USK Geneva team pack the goodies bags and so only did a quick ink and graphite sketch at lunchtime.

And oh! BTW, I also bought some neon pencils at the Caran d’Ache factory and we got a few samples. 

Opening ceremony in French, English and German.

All the instructors got on stage and introduced ourselves.

And then it was time for the first workshop.

I wasn’t teaching during the afternoon session so I got to hang out with my friend Françoise. It was a very wet few hours!

So we didn’t get much sketching done.

Thankfully we had good weather for the rest of the event and I taught workshops on Friday morning and afternoon, and Saturday morning.

Here are a few photos from the sessions…

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3.

Thanks to everyone who attended my workshops!!! We had so much fun and I was very impressed by your work. I hope that you have more tools now to sketch with shapes.

It was fun to sketch with everyone on the Saturday afternoon. However I was too much in ‘teaching mode’ to settle and sketch for myself.

I had an amazing conversation with Andre Sandmann whom I met in Lisbon during the second international Urban Sketchers symposium.

Then it was time for the group photo (screenshot from the USK Geneva Instagram account)

Closing ceremony – St Gallen next year!

Talking markers with Phil and Albert!

Then a gang of us went to dinner.

On this page – my sketchwalk sketch and then a colourful dinner sketch.

Gorgeous lighting on the walk back from dinner.

And the final photo is a view of the Alps and Mont Blanc from Geneva. So beautiful! I’ve only seen snow a handful of times in my life so seeing snowy mountains is very special.

It was such an honour to teach at the USK Swiss Symposium in Geneva. I absolutely loved meeting so many sketchers! Huge thanks to the wonderful organising committee  of Krystyna, Africa, Roxanne and Maurice!

My amazing trip was coming to an end but I had a special sketching adventure on my last full day. Stay tuned for that!