The aim of starting later is to have time to sketch the tree in lights as dusk begins
This is the Event Link on Facebook.
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| The Christmas Tree on Friday 4th December 2015 at 4.40pm |
In early December the Christmas Tree from Norway is erected in Trafalgar Square. You can see a photo of it that I took on Friday afternoon last week above.
For those wanting to sketch the Christmas Tree and the lights at the entrance to the Strand I recommend experimenting with some dark paper with you and media which works on top of dark paper! Otherwise you just end up filling in a lot of darks!
In case it's wet or for those of us who don't do to well in cold/damp weather (I shall be indoors!), the National Gallery offers lots of opportunities for keeping warm and dry and drawing people and paintings in art galleries. The trick with drawing people fast is to focus on the shape, size and posture and not the faces. There's also any amount of architecture and perspective in the very large interiors to keep the 'drawing buildings' fans happy!
The National gallery has sketching stools - but they're sometimes difficult to locate
PLEASE NOTE: The National Gallery does not allow wet media for sketching. You need to use pencils or coloured pencils. Pens that don't use wet ink seem to be OK i.e. no dip pens and no fountain pens.
This is what they have to say about Sketching in the Galleries
Guidelines
- Sketching is not allowed in exhibitions
- Use a hand-held pad of paper, pencil, graphite stick or felt-tipped pens
- Avoid materials such as pastels, wax crayons, charcoal and fountain pens
Copyists
If you wish to use paint, or other oil/water-based media, request an application form from: information@ng-london.org.uk
The National Gallery also has 'facilities' - see the map of the interior (Level 0 in main building and Level 1 or -1 in the Sainsbury Wing)
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| Looking at the Turners in the National Gallery - sketched from the splendid red sofas! sketch in pencil and coloured pencils (11 x 16") by Katherine Tyrrell |
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| A group of school children having a lesson about art - in the National Gallery pen and ink and coloured pencil sketch in a Moleskine by Katherine Tyrrell |
Information for Saturday 12th December
Times and Places
- START venue/time: 12:00 (note later time)
- wet - in the lobby area of the Ground floor entrance to the National Gallery (to right of external stairs)
- dry - next to the 4th Plinth, National Gallery side
- LUNCH: 2:00pm - Bottom of the stairs, ground floor of Sainsbury Wing
- FINISH: 4:30pm - Bottom of the stairs, ground floor of Sainsbury Wing
- AFTERWARDS: Buttery section of the National Dining Rooms - at the top of the stairs in the Sainsbury Wing for tea and cake!
Websites: Trafalgar Square | National Gallery
Refreshments: Sandwiches - In the National Gallery (Grab and Go next to the National Cafe and Expresso Bar in the Basement), M&S @ Charing Cross, Boots at the Trafalgar end of The Strand, various coffee places around Trafalgar Square
Travel:
- Nearest Tube Stations - Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Embankment - so far as I am aware there are no planned closures.
- Nearest Rail Station: Charing Cross
In early December the Christmas Tree from Norway is erected in Trafalgar Square. Last year it was lit on 4th December.Plus the National Gallery offers lots of opportunities for keeping warm and dry and drawing people in art galleries.
The aim of starting later is to have time to sketch the tree in lights as dusk begins
The aim of starting later is to have time to sketch the tree in lights as dusk begins
- Websites: Trafalgar Square | National Gallery
- MAP: Map of start/lunch/finish places
- START venue/time: 12:00 (note later time)
- wet - in the lobby area of the Ground floor entrance to the National Hallery (to right of external stairs)
- dry - next to the 4th Plinth, National Gallery side
- LUNCH: 2:00pm - Bottom of the stairs, ground floor of Sainsbury Wing
- FINISH: 4:30pm - Bottom of the stairs, ground floor of Sainsbury Wing
- AFTERWARDS: Buttery at the top of the stairs in the Sainsbury Wing
- Travel: Tube Stations - Charing Cross, Leicester Square, Embankment
