Let's draw London in 2017

Welcome to our sketchcrawl schedule for 2017

No need to book, no fee to pay -- just bring your own sketching kit and show up on the day 

This is our provisional programme for the year. We will post more details for each sketchcrawl -- including meeting times and locations -- a few weeks in advance of each event. And if anything changes, we will publish amendments here, too. This programme is brought to you by Jo Dungey and Lis Watkins.  

Saturday 21 January 2017 We start the year with a contemporary subject - Tate Modern.  On the South Bank, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern opened a new extension in June 2016, designed by Herzog and de Meuron.  Draw the collection, the public spaces and views over London. This day is run by Isabel Carmona with Dionisa Joseph Mattam

Saturday 25 February 2017 Our February event is based at the Barbican Arts Centre in the City of London.  This offers a chance to draw interior and exterior views, and visitors involved in the activities of the Centre.  We could also venture out to draw the City, old and new, and the Museum of London is nearby. This day is run by Olga Mackness with Lis Watkins

Saturday 25 March 2017 This month we head for Forest Hill, South London, to the Horniman Museum and Gardens. The museum was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend in the Arts and Crafts style, and it has several interesting more recent buildings.  There are extensive gardens with views over London, and a small city farm including alpaca and sheep.  Inside, the collections include natural history, musical instruments of the world, and an aquarium. This day is run by Nick Richards with Jo Dungey

Saturday 29 April 2017 We visit Alexandra Palace in North London, a dramatic Victorian building.  This is set in parkland with panoramic views.  We can draw the building inside and out, including an indoor skating rink, and the Palm Court with sphinxes.  The park includes a boating lake and sports facilities. This day is run by Elizabeth Blunt with Daniel Lloyd-Morgan

Saturday 20 May 2017 Sloane Square in Chelsea provides our focus in May. This area offers a mix of historic buildings, including churches, shops, statues and the Royal Court theatre.  The Saatchi Gallery and Duke of York Square are nearby and there is often a farmers’ market. This day is run by Evelyn Rowland with Nicky Browne

Saturday 17 June 2017 This day will be focused on two locations: Charterhouse Square and neighbouring Clerkenwell. In Charterhouse Square is the Charterhouse, an ancient former monastery and chapel, which has very recently been partly opened to the public, with a new museum. Clerkenwell is an interesting neighbourhood, with a mix of old and new buildings and a concentration of design professions. We will visit the St John’s Gate and museum, including its beautiful Cloister Garden. This replaces the visit to the Inns of Court originally proposed. This day is run by Jo Dungey with Gafung Wong

Saturday 15 July 2017 In July we spend a summer’s day by the river at Richmond, in West London.  This offers elegant terraced streets, a view of the river painted by Turner, historic buildings, boats and bridges. This day is run by Helen Hayhoe and John Webb

Saturday 19 August 2017 This month we visit Hyde Park.  Each year the Serpentine Galleries commission a temporary summer pavilion by a contemporary architect, which we could draw.  Other options are park views, the boating lake, the Italian Gardens, summer visitors, and sculptures old and new.  The Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall are nearby. This day is run by Jo Dungey with Nicky Browne

Saturday 9 September 2017 In September, we explore Highgate, including Waterlow Park, the newly renovated Lauderdale House, and Highgate Cemetery, perhaps the most famous of London’s Victorian cemeteries. This day is run by Dougie Simpson with Jo Dungey

Saturday 14 October 2017 We visit Spitalfields in October, where the Spitalfields Market is a modern redevelopment in a historic area.  Nearby, Christ Church is a Hawksmoor masterpiece surrounded by Georgian houses. This day is run by Cathryn Worrell with Daniel Lloyd-Morgan

Saturday 18 November 2017 In November, we draw Kennington.  We explore the area around Kennington Road, South London, including the Imperial War Museum, Cleaver Square and the Newport Street Gallery. This day is run by Isabel Carmona with John Swanson

Saturday 9 December 2017 We end the year at the Kensington museums – the Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum.  There is also usually an ice rink outside the Natural History Museum. This day is run by Lis Watkins with Philip Stones

Let's draw London in 2017