Exhibition day! Today we materialised the exhibition that we had curated. We presented our sketch books; doodled boxes; sketches from our partner sketchers in Malaysia; and had a model from local illustrator Philip. It was great to see our work collected! We also had an illustrative workshop from Phillip.

On the second day in our exhibition space, we started our sessions with a talk from Hakym about Sketch Fest as an organisation and movement. In groups we then created a poster that represented our sketching workshops using pen and orange paint to sketch. Finally, we then continued to doodle on boxes in preparation for the exhibition tomorrow

In Session 5 we were based in our exhibition space in Spaceportx for the first time. We considered the idea and discipline of 'doodling'. Joined by members of the public and fellow sketchers, we each decorated one of the boxes we had created in session 4 with our drawings. We also participated in group sketching activities. This workshop gave me the opportunity to develop my drawing style and be bold in the way I worked.

In the final session of our first week we prepared for the exhibition that we will be holding at the start of week 2. 25 cardboard boxes, string, and paint are the materials we will creatively use to create an installation which is effective, yet temporary and able to be packed away and transported easily. After discussion and experimentation, as a group we decided to create columns from the boxes: varying in height, and skewed in arrangement; on which sketches will be displayed.

On Wednesday we focused on a singular subject: The Whitworth Art Gallery. On this day we also joined Urban Sketchers. This was a great opportunity to meet with people who were more experienced in sketching, and we were able to watch and talk to them as they also produced work of the gallery. The important thing I learnt from this workshop was diversity. Each piece had different mediums, styles, compositions, and subject. It has encouraged me to consider what I would like to portray in my work, as some focused on colour; others detail; and some the atmosphere of the environment.

In the second session we sketched around Piccadilly Gardens. My sketching skills were challenged further as we varied the length in time in which we had to sketch (from 15 seconds to 45 minutes), and experimented with the mediums used. I discovered how using watercolour to render my sketches could convey atmosphere and pace of the surroundings. We also considered the use of framing and composition in our sketches to create a focus to our drawings.

On the first day, we were briefed on the aims for SketchFest Manchester 2015.We are to participate in sketching workshops with the end result being an exhibition curated by the group in the Northern Quarter next week. We ventured to Central Library to participate in our first sketching workshop; and captured the infrastructure from the Library entrance to Albert Square. I found capturing the movement and ambiance of the city challenging, especially considering the time restraint placed on us. A useful technique I learnt was using a horizon line to ensure that the figures in the sketch were in perspective.