Let’s draw the British Museum and Bloomsbury - Saturday 15 December 2018

We visit Bloomsbury and the British Museum this month.  We can draw aspects of the British Museum building, including the Great Court.  The treasures of the British Museum are unrivalled, and we can also sketch visitors and the life of the museum.  Bloomsbury is also home to several smaller museums, and in the afternoon there is an option to draw at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.  There is also the possibility to explore the historic squares and streets of Bloomsbury.
  
The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up with your art kit.

Key times and meeting points for the day:

11am: Meet at the Group Welcome Desk inside the entrance on Montague Place at the rear of the British Museum (see photograph above)

1pm: Meet in the Great Court near the Information Desk to look at drawings done so far.

3.30pm: Meet at the same place to look at drawings done and take group photographs.

Options for drawing 

The British Museum building was designed by Robert Smirke in 1823, and originally housed the British Library as well as the British Museum collections.

The Great Court – the largest covered square in Europe – opened in 2000, architects Foster and Partners.  At its centre is the Reading Room, dating from when this building was also the British Library.

The galleries display a vast collection of antiquities and art works from all over the world.

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is part of the University of London.  It is on Malet Place and open from 1pm to 5pm.  It has an extensive collection, displayed in a traditional style and a quiet environment.  The museum has suggested it would be suitable for about ten sketchers to visit to draw at any time. 

Inside the Petrie Museum

The area also offers outdoor sketching opportunities, for example in nearby Bedford Square and Russell Square.

Practical information

The main entrance to the British Museum is on Great Russell Street, but we are meeting at the Groups Welcome Desk inside the rear entrance on Montague Place.  Expect a bag search at either entrance.  The nearest underground station is Tottenham Court Road (Northern Line and Central Line) or Russell Square (Piccadilly line). 

The British Museum galleries are open from 10am to 5.30 pm, and the Great Court opens from 9am to 6pm.  There are cafes both inside the British Museum and nearby, and public toilets, and cloakrooms, all of which are signposted.  Admission is free of charge, other than for special exhibitions.

Petrie Museum, Malet Place

The Petrie Museum is on Malet Place, a pedestrianised road running north/south, opposite the Waterstones bookshop on Torrington Place.  The Petrie Museum is only open in the afternoon: 1pm to 5pm.  It is free of charge.  It has toilets but no other facilities.

Both museums have restrictions on art materials which can be used: pens and pencils can be used, but not paint or dusty materials such as charcoal.    

This day is run by Jo Dungey and Isabel Carmona

Let’s draw the British Museum and Bloomsbury - Saturday 15 December 2018