Sunday, 19 March 2023

Let's draw Shoreditch - Saturday 15 April and Sunday 30 April 2023

Beigel Bake, the famous Brick Lane bakery
Sketch by Jia You

Let's draw London in 2023 - Find our full programme here

This April we go to the trendy neighbourhood of Shoreditch in East London

[Led by Jia You and Jimmy Lu]

Located in the East End of London, Shoreditch is a trendy and bustling neighbourhood that has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Once an industrial area, it is now a hub for thriving industries such as arts, fashion and technology.

With attractions such as Brick Lane, the Truman Brewery Market, vintage markets and street art, Shoreditch offers a wealth of opportunities for urban sketching. The neighbourhood is renowned for its vibrant street art scene, diverse architecture and creative energy, providing an ideal environment for artists to explore and capture. Whether you're drawn to the energy of the streets or the intricate details of the built environment, Shoreditch offers something for every urban sketcher.

There is no cost, just wrap up warm and bring your sketching kit.

Meeting point

Our meeting point for the day is Boundary Garden, a small raised park on a roundabout surrounded by blocks of flats. It's a three minute walk from Shoreditch High Street Station, and a 15 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. If the weather is rainy we'll meet inside the bandstand (see photo).

Boundary Garden, our meeting point for the day
Photo by Jia You

Options for drawing

Outdoors

Box Park - This food and retail park is made of repurposed shipping containers, and features a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as plenty of outdoor seating areas that offer great opportunities for sketching. Open Saturdays 11am - 11.45pm, and on Sundays 11am–10.30pm.

Brick Lane - This historic street is famous for its vibrant street art and colourful storefronts. There are plenty of murals and installations to be found on and around the street, making it a great place to draw urban art. Don’t forget to stop by the famous bakery Beigel Bake!

Truman Brewery - It is a historic complex of buildings that once housed a brewery and now serves as a hub for creative businesses, galleries, shops and restaurants.

Redchurch Street - Redchurch Street is a destination in Shoreditch known for its independent shops, cafes, and galleries. It's a great place to draw interesting architecture, street art, and people-watching opportunities.

The Truman Brewery
Sketch by Jia You

Indoors

Spitalfields Market (12 minute walk from Boundary Garden) - This historic market has been a hub of commerce and creativity for centuries, and today it offers a mix of independent shops, food stalls, and events. The covered market hall is home to a variety of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, and offers plenty of interesting subjects to draw. Hours on Saturdays and Sundays are 9am - 11 pm.

Museum of the Home (formerly known as the Geffrye Museum, 10 minute walk from Boundary Garden) - This museum of the home features a series of period rooms that offer a glimpse into the domestic lives of Londoners over the past 400 years. It's a great place to sketch furniture, objects, and interiors. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Christ Church Spitalfields - an early 18th-century church designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Open Sundays from 1 - 4pm.

Café life - There are so many good cafes in Shoreditch: Attendant, Allpress Espresso Bar, or any other café you can find!

Spitalfield Market
Sketch by Jia You

Key times and meeting points

11 AM

Meet in Boundary Garden. There is a bandstand on the top of it. It's a three minute walk from Shoreditch High Street Station or a 15 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. If the weather is rainy we'll meet inside the bandstand.

1 PM

Meet in Boundary Garden again to show sketchbooks and take our lunchtime group photo. In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside the bandstand.

3.30 PM

Meet back at the same spot to look at the day’s work and take the afternoon group photo.

Afterwards

If you would like to linger for a while to chat (and sketch!) we will then move to the nearby pub Brewdog Shoreditch at 51 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA.

Practical information

Food and drink

There are plenty of places to get food and drink in Shoreditch. Box Park and the Truman Brewery market offer a variety of food stalls. Brick Lane is home to a number of traditional Indian and Bangladeshi curry houses, many of which have been in operation for decades.

Getting there

The nearest Tube station is Shoreditch High Street Station (Overground), a three minute walk from Boundary Park. Liverpool Street Station is a 15 minute walk away.

Covid guidance

Urban Sketchers London remain alert to national guidance about COVID-19 and its variants. 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

Practice good hand hygiene.

Remember to tag us when you post your sketches on social media

#urbansketcherslondon

#usklondon

Location map

See you at Shoreditch!

Let's draw London in 2023 -- Find our full programme here

Urban Sketchers London