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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
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
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.
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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.
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| 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.
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| Saatchi Gallery at Duke of York Square |
- Fine Food Market
- Café at Peter Jones
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Sir Hans Sloane's statue stands not in Sloane Square but in
Duke of York Square Sketch by John Swanson |
Practical information
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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