We drew Twickenham - June 2018

Twickenham Riverside: Katy Evans

(Helen Hayhoe writes) We met at 11am on a day of predicted mixed weather. We were delighted to see a number of new people, who were welcomed with the Urban Sketchers' usual warmth.

Café Sunshine provided great coffee, then we set out. People chose boats, the riverside, the rock legend that is Eel Pie Island, the Church Street market and the ‘Naked Ladies’ sculptures to sketch. Plenty of interest there.

Sketching the Oceanids or Naked Ladies statues

The Crazy Naked Ladies: Steven Baker

To wake the soul by tender strokes of art: Gafung Wong

River scene: Gafung Wong

Bertha: Mike Whalley

Apart from a stream of walkers the scene was peaceful and folk brought some wonderful work to the 1pm show and tell. We enjoyed eating lunch and sketching in the street market and pubs.

The group meets at lunchtime

Sketchbooks

The street market in Church Street was also a great subject for sketching.

Church Street, Twickenham: Jimmy Lu

In the afternoon we feared rain, so most decided to continue sketching locally rather than going down to Marble Hill Park. Some visited the Orleans Gallery exhibition in which work from John Webb and John Swanson was among the collection.

John Swanson

Crane: John Swanson

The 3.30pm throw down revealed the usual high standard, diverse viewpoints and techniques.  People scattered to various watering holes and, bar one lost and found phone, it was the end of a happy day.

Afternoon group photo

We drew Twickenham - June 2018

We drew Three Mills Island - May 2018

(Steven Baker writes) It turned out to be the perfect sunny day - after months of worrying we might have typical dreary English weather. We were taking a bit of a risk with this location, with limited facilities and having to hold the event on a Sunday. Thankfully we needn’t have worried - the sun shone and put on its Sunday best for us all. It made for a great day’s sketching at the historic Three Mills Island and the surrounding areas.

The group gathering under the Three Mills Clock Tower.

It was good to see such a fantastic turnout of eager Urban Sketchers.

Back at the Mill House for the lunchtime throw down and customary group photograph. It was great to hear that everyone was enjoying the location and we saw lots of superb midway sketches.

I love this photograph and had to include it - John Webb engrossed in sketching at the side of the River Lee looking towards the Olympic Park. 

We met up back at the Clock Tower again for the final throw down. As usual, everyone had produced some great work showing off the glorious blue skies.

The final group shot. Thanks to everyone who attended.

Then some of us adjourned to The Galvanisers Union pub with nice big tables for us to look through sketchbooks, hear sketchers’ tales of recent adventures, catch up with friends and share some handy tips. That’s what Urban Sketchers is all about, isn’t it?

We drew Three Mills Island - May 2018

Brentford Community Stadium

[John Webb] Brentford Football Club – one of west London’s leading teams, mid-table in The championship – with creditable Premier League aspirations are building a new stadium. For a year or so now I have been following progress in my sketchbooks.

The club have recognised this and arranged limited site access but sufficient to get interesting viewpoints. Full PPE - hard hat, boots, hi vis and gloves (!).  There is a special page with an honourable mention for London Urban Sketchers on their website.

The series of sketches so far can be seen on my website.
Here’s my latest:

Brentford Community Stadium

Drawing Attention June 2018

We're pleased to bring you the June 2018 issue of Drawing Attention, the official monthly zine of the Urban Sketchers organization, with news of official USk events, USk chapters, and advice about the practice of on-location sketching. Happy reading!

Drawing Attention June 2018