Let's draw Dulwich Village - Saturday 11 May 2019

In May we explore Dulwich Village in South London.  Dulwich Picture Gallery was founded in 1811, as England’s first purpose-built public picture gallery, designed by Sir John Soane.  There are many other interesting buildings – some beautiful Georgian houses, the Old Grammar School, churches, a big old pub, some alms houses - set in a leafy environment.  Dulwich Park offers other sketching opportunities. 

The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up with your art kit.  A portable stool could be useful at this location.

Key times and meeting points for the day:

11am: Meet at Dulwich Picture Gallery, in or near the café (see photograph above)

1pm: Meet at the same place at Dulwich Picture Gallery to look at drawings done so far.

3.30pm: Meet at the Crown and Greyhound pub, Dulwich Village (see photograph below) to look at drawings done, and take group photographs.  We may use the tables in front of the pub, or inside if the weather is not good.

Options for drawing include:

Dulwich Picture Gallery: Dulwich Picture Gallery was founded in 1811, as England’s first purpose-built public picture gallery, designed by Sir John Soane.  Normally there is an admission charge, but on this date it is free of charge to mark the opening of the Dulwich Festival.  The Dulwich Picture Gallery collection includes works by Rembrandt, Poussin, Rubens and Canaletto.  There will be on temporary display at the Gallery, Camille Pissarro’s 1871 painting of Dulwich College.  The college is a private school about twenty minutes’ walk away.

Adjoining Dulwich Picture Gallery are old almshouses, a church Christ’s Chapel of God’s Gift, and across Gallery Road, the Old Grammar School.

Dulwich Park is an extensive park with a lake, and a variety of planting styles and trees, a café and sports activities.  Rhododendrons in the American gardens offer bold colour at this time of year.  There are large maps of the park displayed inside each entrance.

Dulwich Village has attractive street scenes, small shops, houses, and schools. 

There are some notable Georgian houses including Bell House, College Road, which is a community owned building likely to be holding a public exhibition.

Our visit coincides with the opening weekend of the Dulwich Festival, which runs from 10 to 19 May 2019.  There will be a programme of events which includes many Artists’ Open Houses; more information on their website.

If the weather is wet, options include drawing inside Dulwich Picture Gallery, the extensive traditional interiors of the Crown and Greyhound pub, and inside cafes.  The Artists’ Open Houses of the Dulwich Festival offer other indoor opportunities.

Practical information

Nearest stations are North Dulwich (on a line from London Bridge) and West Dulwich (on a line from Victoria).  Both are national rail, Zone 3.  Alternatively, take the Victoria line to Brixton and catch the P4 bus which stops near Dulwich Picture Gallery.  There is useful information about transport on the Dulwich Picture Gallery website, and the Transport for London website.  Dulwich Village has a variety of cafes and pubs.  Other food shops are 20-30 minutes away; those on a restricted budget could bring a packed lunch.  There are toilets in the Gallery, the park and the cafes.

This day is run by Jo Dungey and Rachel Bone.  The photographs and the watercolour of Dulwich Park are by Jo Dungey.

Let's draw Dulwich Village - Saturday 11 May 2019