Symposium day one: No longer about beans

[By Paulo Mendes, Symposium Correspondent, in Porto] 

We
Portuguese use to say “Isto agora já não é a feijões”,
something like “This is no longer about beans” when we have to
stop playing around and turn into more serious stuff. This could
apply for the first day of the Symposium: The moment has come, and it’s time for the
harder work. Unlike a street or a view, a Symposium is a living
entity that never stands idle; You cannot find a comfy spot and stay
there sketching for two hours, as lots of things are happening one after
another or simultaneously. Many activities mean more sketches, a faster approach is required.

The
day started with the instructors briefing. After being welcomed by
USk President Amber Sausen, each one introduced him/herself
briefly, and general instructions for the days to come were given, just like the day before with the volonteers.

A
few later, it was time for me and my fellow correspondents Marina and Rita to meet
with our coordinator Tina Koyama and organize our tasks for the next
days. Béliza Mendes, a former correspondent like Tina, joined us and we got precious advice and support from them.

The general check-in was already taking place and the area was pretty busy
with volonteers taking the registrations, handling the goody bags,
solving problems, answering questions, all multiplied by 800.

The
art supply market was pretty active. Looking into all those
mouthwatering tools makes you want to take a shopping cart and start
stuffing it without looking back. But sketching the sketch stuff is
also a good alternative. Meanwhile, old and new friends were stopping
by and between hugs and conversations time ran fast and there was
barely a minute for a small bite in the cafeteria before jumping into the
sketchwalk.

Alfândega
and Dom Luis Bridge are distant about one kilometre. Imagine this
traject virtually filled with sketchers. I decided to capture the
most I could, if possible integrated with the beautiful surrounding
scenery. I was missing these light drawings made with the most 

sophisticated of all high-end sketching tools: The old blue bic
ballpoint…

So
many inspiring people all the way meant arriving too late for the
group photo, but I was rewarded with the presence of lovely old
friends like the great Simon Taylor from Curitiba, Brasil, who never
goes back home without being captured in my sketchbook.

Back slightly after the start of the official opening ceremony,
the place was boiling with activity: Moving around without knowing
where to start, couldn’t help feeling somewhat lost and ended up sketching a little bit of
everything.

Almost done for day one, didn’t want
to finish without playing with a bit of color. This was my last, just before closure was announced. What a really wonderful day!!!

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