I live in Segovia, a city 1.5 hours away from Madrid. In the second month after moving here, I decided one day that I needed to step out and do something. So, I made a promotional flyer and asked friends to share it on WhatsApp. On the first Sunday of January 2020, I announced that I would hold an outdoor sketching workshop!
Although the class was advertised as being taught in English, and I had only self-taught myself a bit of Spanish, I still worked hard to look up Spanish vocabulary to help participants better understand what I was trying to express.
I chose the location at Real Casa de Moneda de Segovia (Segovia Royal Mint Museum), a spot with open spaces, a nearby forest, and a river. It’s a place where many people go jogging or walking, making it perfect for an outdoor sketching session.
During the gathering process, I was amazed to find that one father had driven two hours to bring his daughter to the workshop. His daughter, a design student, had seen my work on Instagram and was eager to join. There was also a friendly tour guide who had lived in both Japan and Taiwan. In the end, a total of 12 participants joined the workshop.
On this slightly chilly but sunlit morning, I watched everyone arrive with smiles, greeting each other warmly with cheek kisses. This helped ease my nervousness quite a bit.
The weather was still quite chilly, everyone kept their hands in their pockets 😆. Despite that, they were all curious and attentive.
When I spoke Spanish, they couldn’t help but laugh, sometimes tossing a word or two back at me. Some participants quietly translated for others who didn’t understand English, though everyone could hear me just fine.
After the demonstration phase, everyone went off to find their own spots to sketch. I had assumed that people here were used to sitting on dry grass for picnics or sunbathing, but that wasn’t the case. Some leaned against low walls to draw, others sat on stone steps or found pieces of paper to sit on. One person even brought a giant inflatable mat that was as big as a bed! Surprisingly, I was the only one sitting directly on the grass 😮
At the end of the workshop, many participants shared kind words and kissed me on the cheek, warmly welcoming me to Segovia and wishing me a beautiful new beginning. A genuine warmth spread through my heart, especially because at the time, I could barely communicate with strangers. Even a simple question from a cashier at the supermarket, like asking if I needed a bag, would make me nervous.
I was especially grateful to the girl’s entomologist father, who quietly documented the entire event for us. Without his help, it would have been difficult to capture these moments amidst the flurry of activity that day. The next day, he sent me the photos and told me I was always welcome to visit their city—I would always have friends there ♡.
This workshop left me with a profound memory and life lesson: when you feel stuck or unable to move forward, challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and meet new people. You may discover a fresh perspective on yourself and your surroundings.
See you in the next travel sketch post!😉
About watercolor supplies:
Watercolor Pans or Tubes-Which One is Right for You?
A Beginner’s Guide to Watercolor Paper
How to Keep Watercolor Paper from Drying Too Fast: 5 Tips
