Wednesday 2 February 2022

Let's draw Sloane Square - Saturday 26 February 2022

View from the café at Peter Jones
Sketch by Lis Watkins

[by John Swanson and Jimmy Lu] 


This month we meet in Sloane Square, in one of the richest parts of London.


There are many opportunities for drawing, with elegant period properties, the Royal Court Theatre, a food market, the Saatchi Gallery and the stunning Holy Trinity Church.


There is no cost, just wrap up warm and bring your drawing equipment.


Key times and meeting points

11.00am

Meet by the Venus Fountain in the middle of Sloane Square (or near to it, depending on how active the pigeons are).

1.00pm

For our lunchtime photo call and throwdown, meet by the Venus Fountain (or if wet, under the portico of the Saatchi Gallery, just off Duke of York Square).

3.30pm

We will meet again by the Venus Fountain (or if wet, under the portico of the Saatchi Gallery just off Duke of York Square).

Afterwards

We will gather for post-sketch coffee and chat in Pret à Manger at no. 35 King’s Road, on the corner with Walpole Street, where there is lots of seating upstairs and down.



The Venus Fountain in the centre of Sloane Square
Sketch by John Swanson


Options for drawing


There are many sketching opportunities in the area.

  • The Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is right on the square, along with many stylish period buildings. the writers’ theatre. We are a leading force in world theatre for cultivating and supporting writers 

  • Holy Trinity Church
Round the corner on Sloane Street is the extraordinary Holy Trinity Church. Built on an enormous scale at the end of the 19th century, it has a huge stained-glass window by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris, and was called the Cathedral of the Arts and Craft movement by the poet, broadcaster and journalist John Betjeman (who also saved the church from demolition).

NB: If you want to draw indoors here, use only dry materials. 

Holy Trinity Church at Sloane Square

  • Duke of York Square
On the west side of the square, just off the Kings Road, is Duke of York Square with shops, boutiques and al fresco restaurants.

  • Saatchi Gallery
And just beyond Duke of York Square is the Saatchi Gallery, presenting exhibitions of contemporary art by emerging artists in the Duke of York’s HQ, a former military complex of enormous proportions. Entry is free, but at the time of writing the café and bar were closed until further notice. 

NB: If you want to draw in the gallery, use only dry materials and follow the gallery’s Covid guidance.

If the weather is wet, the throwdown will take place under the Saatchi Gallery portico.

Saatchi Gallery at Duke of York Square

  • Fine Food Market
On Saturdays the Duke of York Square Fine Food Market is open from 10am to 4pm, 
with the opportunity to draw people and market stalls – and to eat. 

  • Café at Peter Jones
For another indoor sketching option, the top floor of Peter Jones department store has a café with a panoramic view over West London.



Sir Hans Sloane's statue stands not in Sloane Square but in Duke of York Square
Sketch by John Swanson

Practical information


Sloane Square Underground station, on the Circle and District Lines, is right on the square.

There are many cafés and restaurants in the area, but expect Sloane Square prices. There are food stalls at the Saturday market in Duke of York Square.

Peter Jones, the large department store on the west side of the square, has lots of toilets. 

The day is run by John Swanson and Jimmy Lu.

COVID-19 visit information

Since COVID-19 and its variants remain, even though restrictions have been lifted it's sensible to take all necessary precautions to keep ourselves and fellow sketchers safe throughout the event. The risk of infection for outdoor events is low, but basic guidance still applies:
  • please do not attend if you feel unwell
  • wear a face covering when you're close to others
  • give people space, and
  • practice good hand hygiene. 
 There is also the option of self-testing before the event. 

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Location map


See you at Sloane Square!

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