The journey West - Trinity College

I love these journeys through Dublin, spending time to really get to know an area. Although I know that Dame Street will be challenging, noisy, busy, narrow footpaths. But Trinity is a haven of peace in the middle of the metropolis. Trinity first opened in the time of Elizabeth the First, Henry VIII's daughter! A lot of it has changed over the centuries - women are allowed now! But in many ways, it is easy to imagine what it was like in those early days.

I found a little corner away from the tourists, and yet with a perfect view of the Campanile and the Graduate Memorial Building, home to the Phil, the world's oldest debating society, established in 1683, and the Hist, the world's oldest student society, established in 1770! I have plenty of memories of attending debates there, but I was too shy at the time to stand in front of a crowd and argue a point. I wouldn't be so shy now.

After a social break, I decided I wanted to convey the idea that front square is always busy, whether it's with tourists or students. So I sat on the steps of the Examination Hall, facing towards the chapel, and I painted the shapes of any person or group that caught my attention. I then added details in pen, using the next batch of tourists for gestures and action. When I was done, I drew a very light impression of the Chapel and called it done! And yes, there was someone with a ladder and someone with an industrial hoover!