Join us in August to
draw Maritime Greenwich. Greenwich
offers a wonderful range of subjects for sketchers, including historical and
modern architecture. There are important
buildings by Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren and a lively modern
environment. There are opportunities to
draw from both sides of the River Thames, as a foot tunnel runs under the river
here to Island Gardens.
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
11 am: Meet near the entrance
to the Visitor Centre of the Old Royal Naval College (see photograph above). The Visitor Centre, formerly called Discover
Greenwich, provides information on the area.
We can meet just inside if the weather is wet. It is just to the east of the Cutty
Sark.
1 pm: Meet at the same
place for a sketchbook throw down to see each other’s work and chat before
lunch.
3.30 pm: Meet at the
same place to look at drawings done and take group photographs.
Options for drawing
This location is
absolutely packed with sketching opportunities.
The river, people and buildings in the area offer great subjects for
drawing.
The Cutty Sark ship is
near the river.
Along the river is the
Old Royal Naval College (now part of the University of Greenwich) a masterpiece
by Sir Christopher Wren. The famous
Painted Hall is part of the college.
Between the domes of the college can be seen the Queen’s House and colonnade
designed by Inigo Jones.
A wonderful view of
Greenwich is available across the river from Island Gardens – cross under the
river using the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, which is free of charge. The entrance on each side is marked by a glass
dome (see photo below).
From Greenwich there
are views of the dramatic contemporary buildings of the Canary Wharf area.
Historic Greenwich
town centre has old shops, pubs, and Greenwich Market. St Alfege church was designed by Nicholas
Hawksmoor from 1712-1714. It is
undergoing renovation at the moment but the building is open to the public on
Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
There is an
interesting area around Royal Hill, a short walk from Greenwich Market which
has lots of examples of Victorian pubs and other buildings.
Further from the river
are the Maritime Museum (free admission), Greenwich Park and on the hill the
Royal Observatory which stands on the Prime Meridian, the basis for Greenwich Mean
Time.
A quiet spot to draw
is De Vere Devonport House on King William Walk near the foot of Greenwich
Park.
If the weather is wet,
options include the Painted Hall and Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College, inside
St Alfege church, inside Greenwich Market, and the Maritime Museum.
Practical information
The nearest station to
the meeting point is Cutty Sark, on the Docklands Light Railway. Greenwich station (National Rail) is also
nearby. There are plenty of places to
get food and drink in Greenwich.
Greenwich Market opens every day 10 am to 5.30 pm and offers a variety
of food stalls. The Gypsy Moth is an
excellent pub with a large outdoor seating area. There are public toilets inside the visitor
centre, also by the Cutty Sark, in the Maritime Museum and in the park (King
William Walk).
The day is run by Mike
Whalley and Olga Mackness. The drawings
of the Cutty Sark and of ship figureheads in the Maritime Museum are by Mike
Whalley.
