March has seen our Figures of Tyne Art Group meeting every week at the Laing Art Gallery to compile our sketches and chapbooks. We now have a range of illustrations, urban sketches and paintings coming through for the project. The above skyline sketch was done by Sara Gibbeson - see here website here. We have also worked with the students from Sunderland University School of Illustration and we are looking forward to getting some work from them over the coming weeks.
Last week we entertained a group of Newcastle City Guides who have been really helpful and their expertise and knowledge was invaluable. We are building up the concept template with layers of historical background, stories and sketches based on observation of the architectural iconography of Newcastle and linking these back to the storylines.
Recent sessions of the Figures of Tyne Art Group have been held at Bank House on Pilgrim Street and we have been made really welcome in this lovely building. The plan is to build a body of artwork and by June this year we should have a range of sketches and drawings ready for the exhibition of the work to coincide with the visit of the Urban Sketchers in June.