Let's draw the City of London - Saturday 5 October 2019

In October we meet to draw in the City of London, a location combining old and new architecture in different styles.   We can draw some of the major City buildings: the Mansion House, the Bank of England, and nearby modern buildings such as No 1 Poultry.  There will be a chance to sketch outside and inside the Guildhall Museum and Art Gallery, the Guildhall Great Hall and Guildhall Yard.  In the same area there are fine examples of Wren’s architecture:  St Lawrence Jewry, St Stephen Walbrook and St Mary-le-Bow.  

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 in front of the Guildhall (see photograph above).  There is a spacious square, Guildhall Yard, in front of the Guildhall, and some shelter if the weather is wet. 

1pm: Meet again in front of the Guildhall to look at sketches done so far and take group photographs.

3.30pm: Meet again at the same place to look at sketches done, and take group photographs. We can meet inside the Guildhall Art Gallery if the weather is bad. 

If people wish to go for drinks afterwards, the suggested pub is Ye Olde Watling at 29 Watling Street.

Options for drawing: 

The beautiful Guildhall Great Hall, the City’s only surviving secular medieval building dates from 1411.    The adjacent Guildhall Museum and Art Gallery offers free admission and indoor sketching opportunities, opening hours 10am to 5pm.  The Guildhall stands on the remains of London’s only Roman amphitheatre, which can be seen at the lower level of the Art Gallery. 

Across the Guildhall Yard is St Lawrence Jewry, an elegant church re-built using the drawings of Sir Christopher Wren after being damaged during World War Two.

Other Wren churches in the area include St Stephen Walbrook (below), St Mary Le Bow and St Mary Aldermary.  

We will be at the heart of the City, and some of the major buildings including the Mansion House (below) and the Royal Exchange (scaffolded: draw it anyway!).

The Bank of England was originally designed by Sir John Soane in 1788, and his statue can be seen in a niche at the side of the building.  The building has been much altered since it was first built.

A prominent modern building is No 1 Poultry, architect James Stirling.

There are many other options and views, including small shops, pubs, seating areas and small city gardens.

Practical information:

The nearest underground stations are Bank (Northern and Central lines) and St Paul’s (Central line).

Although some City cafes and pubs are closed at the weekend, there are still plenty of options for food and drinks.  Cafes and small supermarkets include the One New Change shopping centre near Cheapside open 10am-6pm.  There are toilets in cafes and in the museum. 

The day is run by Olga Mackness and Katy Evans.  The watercolour of the Guildhall is by Katy Evans, photographs are by Olga Mackness, Katy Evans and Jo Dungey.

Let's draw the City of London - Saturday 5 October 2019