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| Drawing by Sangeeta Bhagawati |
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| The main foyer at the British Library |
PLEASE NOTE : The British Library are happy for
us to draw there but have specified that ‘the only
thing we would ask is that you are all mindful of other people and you are not
setting up ‘large’ bulky easel stands.’
Key times and meeting point
11 am – We’ll meet in the main foyer just inside
the main front doors - see photo above.
1 pm – We’ll meet in the main foyer just inside
the main front doors to look at drawings so far
3.30 pm – We’ll meet in the main foyer just
inside the main front doors to look at the drawings from the day and take a
group photo. For those who want to stay and chat further we can go to one of
the nearby coffee shops or pubs.
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| The many levels at the British Library |
What to draw
The British Library's St Pancras
building - a grade I listed largest public building constructed in the UK in
the 20th century - is a delight for any artist to sketch. It's a busy hub for
students, researchers and readers and it has many significant things to draw - in the middle of the building is a
six-storey glass tower containing the King’s Library, with 65,000 printed
volumes collected by King George III and given to the nation; very spacious and visually pleasing atrium and piazza, reading
rooms in different floors if one has a reading pass (free registration to get a
pass); British Library extension - Centre for Conservation; Entry gate designed by Lida and David Kindersley; large sculptures by Eduardo Paolozzi (a bronze statue based on
William Blake’s study of Isaac Newton) and Antony Gormley; regular exhibitions
(which are ticketed).
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| One of the outside terraces |
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| The Francis Crick Institute |
The Francis
Crick Institute is ‘a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology
underlying human health.’ The building itself is large, with an interesting
design and they have a small café and exhibition area which is open to the
public.
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| The outside of the British Library |
Practical information
Facilities include cloak and luggage room, shops,
toilets on each floor, free Wi-Fi, cafes (3 inside the building and 1 in the
piazza) and a restaurant (on the 1st floor).
Good public transport connections with St.
Pancras and Kings Cross stations nearby, both having National Rail, Underground
and bus connections.
The address of the British Library is 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
The day is run by Sangeeta Bhagawati and Lis Watkins
