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.
