Virtual St. James's - A replacement for the planned Saturday 17th October sketchcrawl

[John Swanson writes] This week we had planned to visit the area around St James’s Square, known for its commercial galleries, smart shops, clubs and splendid architecture. This is the area bounded by Piccadilly, Haymarket, the Mall and Green Park.

Since we can’t go there as a group, the challenge this time is to go there virtually. Look up some landmarks in St James’s, and then go out to your local area – or anywhere of your choice – and draw buildings or urban scenes inspired by actual sites in St James’s. So, you might think of St James’s church in Piccadilly and draw your local church. If you are lucky enough to have a local art gallery, look up one of the commercial galleries in St James’s and post your drawing of your local gallery with a reference to the one in St James’s.

Post your sketch, saying what it is and where, and adding ‘inspired by …’ your chosen St James’s location.

Here are some ideas to get you started. Google maps will quickly help you find more.

Churches 

St James’s on Piccadilly, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. See https://www.sjp.org.uk/

Fancy shops 

Fortnum and Mason: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/ Piccadilly Arcade: https://www.piccadilly-arcade.com/ Bentley and Skinner, Jewellers, Piccadilly: https://www.bentley-skinner.co.uk/ Jermyn Street: https://www.jermynstreet.net/

Eateries

Any number of cafes on Piccadilly The Ritz! : https://www.theritzlondon.com/

Galleries 

There are many commercial galleries and dealers: https://www.allinlondon.co.uk/regions/st-jamess/directory/art-galleries-dealers And don’t forget the Royal Academy of Art, on Piccadilly: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/

Gardens 

St James’s Square: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_James%27s_Square

Pubs 

The Red Lion, Mayfair, in Duke of York Street: https://www.redlionmayfair.co.uk/ The Golden Lion: https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/golden-lion-st-jamess/

Clubs

Whites: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White%27s The Carlton : https://www.carltonclub.co.uk/ The Athenaeum: https://www.athenaeumclub.co.uk/ Boodles : https://www.boodles.org/ Brooks : https://www.brooksclub.org/

Plus, many others.

Remember, we aren’t drawing locations in St James’s (unless you are lucky enough to be there) but local scenes that can be linked to St James’s. It’s up to you how strong or tenuous those links actually are.

Enjoy your urban sketching!

Virtual St. James's - A replacement for the planned Saturday 17th October sketchcrawl