Let's draw Trinity Buoy Wharf - Sunday 15 September 2019

In September, we visit Trinity Buoy Wharf, which is on the north bank of the Thames, across the river from the O2 (formerly Millennium Dome in North Greenwich).  Trinity Buoy Wharf was established in 1803 as a Thames-side workshop for Trinity House, responsible for buoys, lighthouses and lightships.  It now preserves some of its old buildings as homes for creative industries including The Big Draw, and has outdoor sculpture displays, studios, cafes, a pier, and London’s only lighthouse.  These old industrial buildings contrast with nearby contemporary housing developments. The Wharf has spectacular river views of the eastern part of the Thames. 

The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up with your art kit.

Note we are meeting on a Sunday this month.

Key times and meeting points for the day:

11am: Meet by the lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf (see photograph above).  If the weather is wet, there is some shelter inside the lighthouse and in the diner.
1pm: Meet at the same place to look at sketches done so far.
3.30pm: Meet at the same place to look at sketches done, and to take group photographs.

Options for drawing:
This day offers some dramatic contrasts for sketchers

The Wharf has interesting old buildings, a lighthouse and a lightship

There are many contemporary sculptures and installations, and artists’ studios

There are spectacular views of modern developments at Canary Wharf and North Greenwich, in this very rapidly changing area of London

If there is bad weather, there are two cafes.  There is also some scope to draw indoors in the lighthouse and the Chainstore, but this is primarily an outdoor location.

Practical information:

Transport: the nearest underground station is Canning Town, on the Jubilee Line and Docklands Light Railway. Leaving Canning Town station, follow the signs to Bow Creek and City Island.  Exit the station and take the red footbridge to City Island.

It is about a fifteen minute walk to Trinity Buoy Wharf.  Walk through the new housing developments of City Island (photograph above), then under a bridge where you can see the O2 (Millenium Dome) ahead.  On the route there are maps of City Island and signs to Trinity Buoy Wharf. There is building development happening in this area, some rough pavements and traffic, so take care.

Food and drink: there are two cafes, the Fat Boy Diner and the Orchard Café at Trinity Buoy Wharf, but no shops, so you could bring a packed lunch. There are public toilets at the back of the Orchard Café.

There is more information on the Trinity Buoy Wharf website.

This day is run by Jo Dungey and Gafung Wong

Let's draw Trinity Buoy Wharf - Sunday 15 September 2019