Let’s draw London in 2018

Draw London with us in 2018. This programme of events is provisional - each month details will be posted on this blog about the next month’s event. This will give information about the location, including where and when to meet. These events are free of charge and there is no need to book. Just turn up and bring your own drawing kit. The Urban Sketchers London sketchcrawl programme is co-ordinated by Jo Dungey and Lis Watkins.


Saturday 20 January 2018
Organisers: Jo Dungey and Cathryn Worrell

In January we meet to draw at the Wellcome Collection on Euston Road. The Wellcome Collection offers permanent and temporary exhibitions. Imaginative exhibits present ideas about science and medicine, and there is an extraordinary collection of objects related to the history of medicine of different cultures.


Saturday 24 February 2018
Organisers: Lis Watkins and Homephoenix Wong

Join us in February at Tate Britain in Pimlico, the home of the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day. Explore the collection, the building inside and out, and the surrounding area. Draw inspiration from artists who have represented London, including Turner, Sickert, Passmore, and French artists in exile. The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up with your art kit.

This sketch crawl replaces the proposed meet-up at Westfield Shopping Centre included in our published 2018 programme.

Saturday 10 March 2018
Organisers: Olga Mackness and Cathryn Worrell

In March we spend a day drawing based around Leadenhall Market in the City of London. The area offers contrasts between the Victorian market building and the modern financial district including the Lloyds building. It is also near historic churches and the garden of St Dunstan-in-the-East.


Saturday 28 April 2018
Organisers: Elizabeth Blunt and Philip Stones

This month we explore Walthamstow. Originally a medieval village, parts of this still survive, including the thirteenth century parish church and churchyard, almshouses, and a local history museum. There is a dramatic art déco town hall and William Morris' house, now a museum, with a lively park behind it. Walthamstow has the longest outdoor street market in Europe, and the covered Wood Street Market, described as a 'hidden gem'.


SUNDAY 20 May 2018
Organisers: Martin Stone and Steven Baker

In May we are in east London at Three Mills Island. This is a unique site to draw London’s industrial past. Clock Mill and Town Mill (1776) were formerly tidal mills on the River Lea. Abbey Mills Pumping Station is more ornate, designed in 1865 by Joseph Bazalgette. Also close by are the Bow Locks between the River Lea and the River Lee (sic) Navigation canal, with striking waterway and industrial views. There are canalside walks and panoramic views towards the Olympic Park and the current redevelopment of this part of east London.


Saturday 16 June 2018
Organisers: Helen Hayhoe and John Webb

This month we are by the river at Twickenham. Twickenham's riverside offers an eclectic miscellany for sketchers. This includes boats, Eel Pie Island, the York House Italian Sculptures, quirky old side streets, waterside pubs, and nearby Marble Hill House and the recently restored Turner's country home.

Wednesday 20 June 2018 - Summer Evening Sketching
Organisers: Jo Dungey and Lis Watkins

Meeting point: 6pm next to the Golden Hinde, a full-size replica of the 16^th century galleon of Sir Francis Drake, next to the Old Thameside Inn, and at 8pm at the same place.

The Golden Hinde is at St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1.  As well as drawing the Golden Hinde, we can draw river views, Southwark Cathedral, the ruins of Winchester Palace, and the small shops and streets around Borough Market.  If it is wet, we can draw inside nearby pubs and cafes or under the canopies of Borough Market, and finish up at the Old Thameside Inn.

Wednesday 25 July 2018 - Summer Evening Sketching
Organisers: John Webb and Jo Dungey

Meeting point: 6pm at Flat Iron Square, Bankside, off Union Street, and at 8pm at the same place.

Flat Iron Square is a new ‘foodie hub’ in Bankside.  It is at the junction of Union Street, O’Meara Street and Southwark Street.  Having redeveloped seven old railway arches, it has restaurants, bars, street food trucks and sometimes live music.  Draw the people and buildings, including the old railway arches, and the nearby old shops, buildings and bridges in this mixed but historic area.  If it is wet, there is plenty of cover and interior spaces at Flat Iron Square.

Saturday 28 July 2018
Organisers: Jo Dungey and Homephoenix Wong

We meet to draw at St Katharine Docks, a marina just to the east of Tower Bridge. This day offers the boats and buildings of the marina, and river views towards the City and Tower Bridge, across the river to the former warehouses of Shad Thames, or east towards Canary Wharf.

Wednesday 8 August 2018 - Summer Evening Sketching
Organisers: Gafung Wong and John Webb

Meeting point: 6pm at Gabriel’s Wharf, near the central canopy, and at 8pm at the same place.

Gabriel’s Wharf, Upper Ground, is an open area just back from the river between the National Theatre and the OXO Tower building.  It has small shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes, which we can draw.  Other options for drawing are river views from the nearby jetties, and the OXO Tower buildings.  If wet, we can draw inside the National Theatre or inside pubs and cafes. 

Saturday 18 August 2018
Organisers: Nicky Browne and Jo Dungey

In August we visit Chiswick House, a Palladian villa set in beautiful grounds. The house was designed by Lord Burlington with the aid of William Kent. Kent also designed the gardens, one of the earliest examples of the English landscape garden, which offer classical vistas, ponds, fountains and an eighteenth-century wilderness.


Saturday 22 September 2018
Organisers: Nicky Browne and Olga Mackness

In September we draw at Holland Park and the Design Museum, off Kensington High Street. Holland Park offers gardens in different styles including a Japanese garden, more formal gardens, wilder areas, and wandering peacocks. The park has a range of interesting buildings. The Design Museum is located in the former Commonwealth Institute, an innovative building redeveloped by OMA and John Pawson.


Saturday 6 October 2018
Organisers: Lis Watkins and Evelyn Rowland

This month we are in central London to draw Soho. Soho has long been an important centre for artists and writers, for media and theatre. Draw this rapidly changing area, including Theatreland and Chinatown.


Saturday 17 November 2018
Organisers: John Swanson and Olga Mackness

In November, we are at the National Army Museum, Chelsea. This recently redeveloped museum has historic collections including uniforms, military equipment and vehicles. It is next to the Chelsea Hospital, designed by Sir Christopher Wren as the home for the Chelsea Pensioners. Although the Chelsea Hospital building is not open at the weekend, it can be seen and drawn from the lawns of the Chelsea Embankment next to the river.


Saturday 15 December 2018
Organisers: Jo Dungey and Isabel Carmona

We visit Bloomsbury and the British Museum this month. As well as drawing the treasures of the British Museum, and its building, there could be an option to discover smaller museums in the area, the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and the Grant Museum of Zoology. There will be an opportunity to explore the historic squares and streets of Bloomsbury.

Let’s draw London in 2018