Draw London with us in 2020: This programme of sketching is suspended, given the coronavirus pandemic.
The sketch of Pitzhanger Manor (above) is by Lis Watkins
Saturday 11 January 2020
We start the new year with a visit to Tate Modern. The collection of international modern and contemporary art is housed in the former Bankside Power Station, redeveloped by Swiss architects Hertzog and De Meuron. These architects also created the new Blavatnik extension. In the Turbine Hall, a major new sculpture by Kara Walker, Fons Americanus, provides a challenge to London’s more traditional monuments. As well as the art works and gallery visitors, there are interesting interiors and views of the surrounding area to sketch.
This day is run by Jo Dungey and Gafung Wong
Saturday 15 February 2020
We visit the Wallace Collection, a free public art collection in Manchester Square north of Oxford Street. The building, Hertford House, provides the focal point of this eighteenth century garden square. Each room in this eclectic museum is distinctively different. It houses treasures that include arms and armour, furniture, glassware and ceramics. The collection of paintings is also well known and include the racy Fragonard's Girl on a Swing and Franz Hals’ Laughing Cavalier. Manchester Square and nearby Chiltern Street have some other interesting buildings.
This day is run by Nicky Browne and Sasala Wickramasinghe
Saturday 14 March 2020: THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED
In March, we visit Elephant & Castle in South London. This is an area undergoing rapid development with new buildings and public areas, and a variety of old and new architecture. Parts of the area, including the dated shopping centre, are due for imminent regeneration, so this is a good opportunity to capture the place in urban sketches! Nearby ‘Mercato Metropolitano’ is a busy sheltered food court on an old industrial site and can offer shelter for inclement weather.
This day is run by Isabel Carmona and Lis Watkins
Saturday 25 April 2020: THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED
This month we are drawing in the area of Granary Square and Coal Drops Yard, an area of extensive redevelopment north of Kings Cross Station. Record an area of rapid change, with many new developments, as well as old buildings by the canal. Visit the House of Illustration. Lots of scope for people sketching as well.
This day is organised jointly with Urban Sketchers Cambridge, and run by Jo Dungey (Urban Sketchers London) with Yasemin Gyford of Urban Sketchers Cambridge
CANCELLED: Urban Sketchers International Symposium in Hong Kong 8-12 April 2020
Saturday 9 May 2020: programme suspended
In May we are by the river Thames in west London. Come along to Twickenham Riverside to sketch boats, birds and Rock and Roll’s Eel Pie Island. Contrast the famous Naked Ladies statuary with the quirky shops on Church Road. Plenty to enjoy, all minutes from Twickenham station.
This day is run by Helen Hayhoe and John Swanson
Saturday 6 June 2020 : programme suspended
We visit Little Venice this month: a district around the junction of the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals. The canals are lined with narrow boats and surrounded by white stucco-clad Regency houses and weeping willow trees. As a contrast, this area is also near the modern developments of Paddington Basin.
This day is run by Mike Whalley and Katy Evans
CANCELLED: Urban Sketchers UK event Leeds 12-14 June 2020
Saturday 25 July 2020: programme suspended
This month we visit Pitzhanger Manor, a large mansion, formerly the country home of architect Sir John Soane, near the town centre of Ealing. It has recently been restored and stands in gardens on the edge of Walpole Park. This offers opportunities for landscape views, people sketching and tree studies. The gardens and park are free of charge, but there is an entrance fee to look around the inside of the house and gallery.
This day is run by Zane Karklina and Lis Watkins
Saturday 8 August 2020: programme suspended
In August we explore Victorian Kensington. The area between High Street Kensington Station and the Royal Albert Hall has a wealth of well-maintained Victorian and Edwardian mansion blocks. Found both north and south of the road are extravaganzas of intricate brickwork, columns and decorative features. The Royal Albert Hall is an amazing circular building. Its enormous pinnacle was too heavy to be placed on the dome and is now sited across the road in Hyde Park. We visit when the BBC Proms are on and there will be queues of people to draw. West of the Albert Hall is the Royal College of Organists building, a decorated facade of what is now a private residence.
This day is run by Nicky Browne and Sasala Wickramasinghe
Saturday 12 September 2020: programme suspended
We visit Bloomsbury this month – an area of London which has been the home of many writers, artists and academic figures. It has famous garden squares including Russell Square, Bloomsbury Square, Bedford Square and Woburn Square with interesting monuments, some very ancient trees, and surrounded by fine houses. The area is home to the British Museum and many buildings of the University of London, including some smaller museums.
This day is run by Jo Dungey and Sangeeta Bhagawati
Saturday 17 October 2020: programme suspended
We visit the area around St James’s Square in central London. There are picturesque streets such as Pall Mall, Carlton House Terrace and Jermyn Street, and arcades of traditional shops. Historic buildings in this area include the Tudor Gatehouse of St James’s Palace built for Henry VIII, and Sir Christopher Wren’s St James’s Church. We are also near the Royal Academy on Piccadilly.
This day is run by John Swanson and Helen Hayhoe
Saturday 21 November 2020: programme suspended
November finds us in the Museum of London, in the City of London on the edge of the Barbican Estate. The museum’s permanent galleries (which are free of charge) explore the history of London, including Roman and medieval London, up to the present day. It will also be possible to draw from the Barbican High Walks and a remaining section of the Roman wall of London.
The day is run by Elizabeth Blunt and Rachel Bone
Saturday 12 December 2020: programme suspended
We end the year in central London, sketching in Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. The square has famous monuments and buildings including St Martin in the Fields church. In December, Trafalgar Square has a large Christmas tree donated by the Norwegian government. After a short seasonal sketch outside, we can draw inside the world famous National Gallery, and possibly inside St Martin in the Fields.
This day is run by Katy Evans and Gafung Wong
Urban Sketchers London is an informal group of people who like to sketch on location. All participants have a role to play in the safety and wellbeing of others. When taking part in our sketching events, please be mindful of the safety of yourself, other sketchers and passers-by. Be careful about your possessions when you are sketching and in crowded places.
