Saturday 8 February 2014

Sketching in Norwich Castle, Natural History Room

Pop in For a Pound - opportunity for a quick drawing session...

Last Monday I accompanied my son to Norwich and while he went off on a mission of his own I decided to nip up to the Castle Museum. I fancied visiting the Natural History Room but wasn't sure what the ticket price would be. I decided if entry was full price, as I would only be there a short while, it wouldn't really be worthwhile. If it was a reduced rate then I would go for it. Well, what a stroke of luck! A scheme is currently running to encourage lunchtime visitors whereby you pay £1 for one hour, and as I had arrived at 12.50pm I still qualified for the discount. I checked that sketching with pencil in a sketchbook would be permitted and was told that was fine and fold up seats were available nearby if required.

I headed into the quiet calm of the Natural History Room and was delighted to see several students seated before the displays, all merrily drawing. I did make use of a seat and as time was limited I settled quickly before a glass cabinet with various antelope.

Great opportunity to study animals up close.

Several small parties of young school children trooped through, plus a few general visitors, but my eyes remained busy, flicking constantly between the taxidermy animals and the page of pencil lines as I attempted to describe the elegant curving lines of antelope and their amazing horns. An hour passed by in a flash and it was time to head back down to the shops, back to the hustle and bustle.

Why not seek out your local museum and spend time with your sketchbook instead of spending money and energy in the retail stores? Your mind and spirit will be refreshed, and you will have filled a few more pages!