We couldn't possibly do a year of Sketch Club (urban sketching in Camberwell) without checking out the Camberwell Sunday Market!
The market has been around since 1976 and was started by the Balwyn Rotary Club, as a way to fund community projects. Since then the market has evolved into a beloved Melbourne institution.
The market is always packed to the brim with bric-a-brac, odds and ends, treasures and oddities (to say the least!). I've found everything from antique printing press parts to designer clothes. If you're anything like me and love spending a morning rummaging around to find things to add to your magpie collection of trinkets, definitely check out Camberwell market.
Beyond that, I chose the market because I thought it would be a fabulous place for us to practice drawing using one point perspective. All of the market stalls are arranged in rows, which makes some fabulous opportunities for capturing depth and perspective.
This month our mystery supply was ink and a glass dip pen - which I thought would go perfectly with the market's vintage feel. Glass pens first emerged in the early 19th century as an alternative to traditional quill and metal nib pens. Their invention is often attributed to the Czech glassmaker, Joseph Rebell, who patented the design in 1822.
Initially, glass pens gained popularity among scribes and calligraphers for their smooth writing experience and ability to retain ink without rusting or corroding. However, their fragile nature limited widespread adoption, and they remained a niche tool for artists and enthusiasts.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advancements in glassmaking technology allowed for mass production of glass pens. Companies like C. Schwanhäusser in Germany and J. Herbin in France began manufacturing glass pens on a larger scale, making them more accessible to a broader audience.
Glass pens experienced a resurgence in the late 20th century, thanks to renewed interest in traditional writing instruments and calligraphy.
All in all, I think we had a wonderful time spending the morning in the sun, nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of the market community. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
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