Oporto through the eyes of a sketcher
[by a collection of Portuguese Sketchers] On the 17th and 18th September the national Urban Sketchers Portugal gathering took place in Oporto, the second largest city in Portugal.
It is a city that keeps alive its original architecture, its inhabitants and its ancestral habits, which turns it into one of the most visited destinations in Europe today.
It is a city full of contrasts, from its modern architecture in the new areas, to the traditional architecture of the Portuguese downtown area, and maintains a constant link to the Douro river.
About fifty participants gathered from all over the country with the objective of capturing the city through sketches which will be compiled into an edition on this beautiful city.
Here are a few sketches from different authors, a small selection made among many more, which you can find on the blog of Urban Sketchers Portugal.
"On the Cais da Ribeira, in Oporto, amidst a multitude of people and a lot of movement, I made this sketch of the D. Luís bridge, made of two metallic platforms linking Oporto to Vila Nova de Gaia above the Douro river."
- Ana Crispim (Ana's sketch above)
"The Douro river, filled with history, calm and impassive to the passing of time. This whole region converges towards it and it is from here, from Oporto and its two colourful margins, with brushstrokes the colour of wine, that it will forever perpetuate the name of this city."
- Ana Luís Frazão
"This sketch showed me different ways to see my surroundings, which enriched me."
- António Procópio
"In the morning we sat on a small terrace near São Bento station. The Sé cathedral rose in front of us and on top of the buildings a typical skylight of the city was peeking on us. Watercolours and pens were ready to start sketching..."
- Cláudia Salgueiro
"Clérigos, upon arrival. It was no easy task finding an unobstructed viewpoint between me and this fantastic model of 18th century architecture by Nicolau Nasoni. After wandering around a bit I managed to find this view. I quickly sketched, standing, this tower in its baroque style."
- Dilar Pereira
"The stairs, between old buildings, some uninhabited others degraded, seemed neverending. It gave access to the upper platform of the D. Luís bridge, from where there was a wonderful view over Oporto. I stopped to rest and took the opportunity to sketch."
- Eduardo Salavisa
"Porto is a city full of charisma. In these charming old houses of downtown, facing the Douro river, one can still see white linen drying in the sun, or an old lady in the balcony... They surely have many hidden stories to tell..."
- Fernanda Lamelas
"Rabelo, the boats that have always and still do, bring life to and from Oporto."
- José Barreiros
"Oporto, the Douro river and the rabelo boats as seen from Gaia quay."
- Luís Frasco
"This sketch was made in the courtyard of the Igreja dos Grilos, after descending the stairs below the Sé. It was a beautiful view, but I never turned around and opted for sketching the houses behind the tourists."
- Marcelo de Deus
"Going to Oporto was very gratifying. I had never seen it through the eyes of a sketcher. I particularly liked this sketch, not only because it was the first I made, right after exiting the train, but also for its composition."
- Mário Crispim
"I love to draw buildings as if they were people. As if they were dancing, communicating and talking to me. I love to write the stories within the sketch, to report the dialogues, to give life to a piece of paper, which will one day show others how much fun I had sketching it."
- Nelson Paciência
"Going down Arnaldo Gama street, in the heart of the city's historic centre, I stumbled upon this scenery. I was enchanted! I couldn't resist registering this moment. The houses leading down to the river accompanied by unending small stairways, the clothes drying on the Fernandina Wall and, in the background, the imposing metallic construction that is the D. Luís I bridge, make it an emblematic place."
- Paula Brito
"Late, tired and a work's week on the shoulders – yet our arrival in Porto had to be celebrated! With a fino! Dare ask for an imperial in the north, and you'll get sent packing across the Arrábida bridge, with a warm northern smile, of course!"
- Pedro Loureiro
"The strong colours of Ribeira near the Douro river in Oporto."
- Rosário Félix
"A sketch made almost at nightfall, when the cold azulejos and granite enhance the mysterious beauty of this city."
- Teresa Ruivo
See more sketches from Urban Sketchers Portugal on their blog.
[Oporto] blog bridge group post guest post Portugal