Sunday 30 December 2018

An Urban Sketchers year in review - We drew London in 2018

Happy New Year from Urban Sketchers London

Thank you for making this such a brilliant year.  See you in 2019! 

Let's draw London in 2019


We drew London in 2018 


January - The Wellcome Collection
Led by Jo Dungey and Cathryn Worrell


February - Tate Britain
Led by Lis Watkins and Gafung Wong


March - Leadenhall Market
Led by Olga Mackness and Cathryn Worrell


April - Walthamstow
Led by Elizabeth Blunt and Philip Stones


May - Three Mills Island
Led by Martin Stone and Steven Baker


June - Twickenham
Led by Helen Hayhoe, John Webb and John Swanson


July - St Katharine Docks
Led by Jo Dungey and Gafung Wong


Summer evening sketching south of the River Thames
June - The Golden Hinde and Southark Cathedral led by Jo Dungey and Lis Watkins
July - Flat Iron Square led by John Webb and Jo Dungey
August - Gabriel's Wharf led by Gafung Wong and John Webb



August - Chiswick House and Garden
Led by Nicky Browne and Jo Dungey


September - Holland Park and the Design Museum
Led by Nicky Browne and Olga Mackness



October - Soho
Led by Lis Watkins and Evelyn Rowland 


November - National Army Museum and Chelsea
Led by Olga Mackness and John Swanson



December - Bloomsbury and the British Museum
Led by Jo Dungey and Isabel Carmona

Let's draw London in 2019!




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Monday 17 December 2018

Christmas 2017/18

John Webb writes: I make two cakes each year - one for us, one for my wife's cousin.  Each year decoration is a challenge but last Christmas' USk London at the V&A looking down to the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum has come to the rescue.

Thank you Urban Sketchers - and Happy Christmas everyone!



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Let's draw at the RAF Museum, Hendon - Saturday 16 February 2019



Our venue this month is the Royal Air Force Museum, in Hendon. The museum tells the history of military aviation from before the RAF was founded in 1918 through to modern times, with a look forward into the uncertain future needs. It provides the opportunity to draw the buildings (both new and some of the original Hendon Aerodrome buildings) exhibits and visitors.

There is no charge for the event, and no need to book, just turn up with your drawing gear.

Meeting points and times
11 am:  We will meet in the museum’s main entrance area which is in Hangar H1 under the starboard (right) wing of the Sunderland flying boat (picture below). This is to the left as you enter.
1 pm:  We will meet there again at lunch at 1pm and look at sketches done so far. There is a café there too.
3.30 pm:  Finally, we will meet there again to look at sketches done and take photographs.
Thence using the café for post sketching conviviality and sketchbook sharing.

Options for sketching
The museum is on part of the old Hendon Aerodrome.  It is a large area with the exhibits in six hangars (3, 4 and 5 in the old main building, pictured above). Whilst the exhibits which dominate are the aircraft, there is a huge variety of other items from small models, medals, uniforms, cars to a couple of boats.

Hangar 1 - the first 100 years

Hangar 2 - The First World War
Hangars 3, 4, 5 - War in the air including all the iconic fighters and bombers (Spitfire, Lancaster, Vulcan) and lots more



Hangar 6 - The RAF in an age of uncertainty

Practical information
Entry to the museum is free. Expect a bag search on entry where you can collect a useful map (suggested donation of £1 or print from their web site free). The museum has not given us any rules about art materials which can be used, but please be cautious when using anything that might spill, splash or crumble. Be aware also that you will be drawing among many visitors, so try not to cause an obstruction.
Getting to the museum is quick and easy - just 30 minutes from Central London by Tube, and a seven minute 303 bus ride from Colindale Underground Station.
By road the museum is only 30 minutes from Central London. Follow the brown and white tourist signs from M25, M1 (Junction 4 Southbound), A41, A5 and North Circular (A406) roads.

There is parking on site, parking charges apply (£3 for 3 hours, £4 for 3 – 6 hours).  The postcode NW9 5QW will direct you to the small industrial estate that is located next to the Museum.  Their web site notes that during periods of high demand such as the school holidays and weekends this can fill up very quickly. We would therefore suggest that during such times that you leave your car at home and use public transport.
There are toilets and several cafés in the museum buildings.
The museum’s website has further information. 

The day is run by John Webb and Philip Stones.  The photographs and sketch of the Blériot are by John Webb.

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Sunday 16 December 2018

We drew at the British Museum - December 2018

Urban Sketchers London drew at the British Museum on Saturday 15 December 2018.  We explored the museum collections, tackled the challenge of drawing the museum's spectacular glass roof, and sketched some of the many visitors.  On a cold, wet day, we also discovered urban sketching luxury - the museum's Great Court has underfloor heating!


In the afternoon, some of the group also visited the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in nearby Malet Place; the sketch below is by Isabel Carmona.
Our next meet-up is Sunday 27 January 2019, when we will draw at the Barbican.  We hope to see you there.

Photographs are by Isabel Carmona, Nicky Browne and Jo Dungey.
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Friday 7 December 2018

Let's Draw the Barbican - Sunday 27 January 2019

Sketch of Gilbert House, Barbican by Cathryn Worrell

We start 2019 with a visit to the Barbican in the City of London, which is one of the most remarkable examples of Brutalist architecture in the country.

Please note that unlike most of our sketchcrawls, this one will take place on a Sunday. This is because Sunday is the only day of the week that the Barbican Conservatory is usually open.

The day is free of charge, and there's no need to book. Just turn up with your own art kit.

Key times and meeting points for the day:


11am Meet inside main entrance on Silk Street

1pm Meet on Lakeside Terrace to share sketches and take a group photo

3.30pm Meet on Lakeside Terrace (or just inside if wet) to share sketches and take an end of day photograph.

 

Options for Sketching 

 

Sketch of St Giles' Church by Gafung Wong

We can sketch the residential buildings, inside and outside the Arts Centre, the Museum of London, St Giles' Church and the St Alphage gardens and highwalks.

Illustrated Map of the Barbican Estate by Cathryn Worrell

Since it is a Sunday the Barbican Conservatory may also be open. This is the second largest conservatory in London and can be found on level 3 of the Barbican Centre, although there is a possibility that it will be closed for a private function. More information about that should be available on the day.

Practical Information


The Barbican Centre is open from 9am - 11pm and this floor plan shows the layout of the Arts Centre.

There are cafes, toilets and lots of seating throughout the Barbican Centre. There is also a cafe attached to the Barbican cinemas on Beech street, as well as a Waitrose and Pret a Manger on nearby Whitecross Street.

The nearest underground stations are Barbican and Moorgate. Old Street, St Paul's and Liverpool Street stations are a short walk away.

Bus 153 also runs right past the Barbican Centre along Chiswell Street, and other buses stop nearby. See the TFL website for more information.

Access maps on the Barbican wesbite show the route to the Barbican centre (with photos) from nearby stations.

For more information see the Barbican website.

The day is run by Cathryn Worrell and Gafung Wong.
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