Let's draw Walthamstow - Saturday 28 April 2018

The Woodpecker Tapestry by William Morris (1885)
Part of the permanent collection of the William Morris Gallery in Lloyd Park, Walthamstow. 

In April we’ll be drawing in Walthamstow, one of London's historic villages. It got a mention in the Domesday Book, and still retains some interesting old buildings.

St Mary's churchyard

There are two main centres of interest in Walthamstow. The Old Village is to the east of the station. There's the medieval church of St Mary's, with a suitably spooky churchyard, a picturesque row of almshouses, the half-timbered 'Ancient House' and the Vestry House museum (free admission). This has an interesting local collection and would be a useful bolthole on a wet day.

The Ancient House

Vestry House Museum

To the north, along Forest Road, are some more modern landmarks. William Morris House, a Grade II* listed building, was Morris's family home from 1848 to 1856. It's now a gallery (also free admission) devoted to his work and that of his fellow Pre-Raphaelites.

William Morris House - front

Behind the gallery is Lloyd Park. The medieval house which once stood there has vanished, but you can still see its moat.

William Morris House - back

The moat of Lloyd Park

And just along the road is the absolutely humungous art deco town hall; you may have spotted it in movies about Hitler or Mussolini, since it makes a perfect backdrop for fascist rallies.

Walthamstow town hall

If you want to wander a bit further, Walthamstow High Street is the longest street market in Europe. And just east of the Old Village is God's Own Junkyard, under cover and specialising in vintage neon. It says it has a cafe. I haven't been there myself, but it comes recommended and looks amazing.

Key times and meeting points for the day:

11am We will meet outside Walthamstow Central station (Victoria Line, linked by footpath to Walthamstow Queens Road on the Overground). Then sketchers can head off in whichever direction they fancy.

1pm The lunchtime meetup will be at the back of the William Morris House, where there is a good flight of steps for photos. There are also two cafes, one in the house itself and the other in Lloyd Park, behind William Morris House. The park cafe has one the most impressive selections of ice cream I have seen in London. Both have a good range of light lunch options.

3.30pm We finish outside the Vestry House Museum, to compare our work and take a final photo before adjourning to a nearby café or pub.

The day is run by Elizabeth Blunt and Philip Stones.

Let's draw Walthamstow - Saturday 28 April 2018

Let's Draw Sloane Square on Saturday 20 May 2017

Sketch by Evelyn Rowland

This month we meet in Chelsea, focused on Sloane Square. This area is brilliant for elegant period properties. There’s a specially arranged chance to draw inside Holy Trinity Church on Sloane Street. Other cool areas - Eaton Square, King’s Road, of course and Duke of York’s Square, where Saatchi reigns supreme.

The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up with your art kit.  *Please use only dry media  inside Holy Trinity church.

Venus Fountain in Sloane Square

Key times and meeting points for the day:

11.00.am Meet by the Venus Fountain in the middle of Sloane Square.

1.00pm for lunchtime photocall by the Venus Fountain again (or if wet, in Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street).

3.30pm also by the Venus Fountain (or if wet, at Pret A Manger, 35 King’s Road).

We will then meet for post sketch coffee and chat in Pret’s, at 35 King’s Road.

Sloane Square

There are lots of sketching opportunities in this area:

Sloane Square was laid out in the late eighteenth century, and has a fountain and flower stall in the centre. Surrounding buildings include the Royal Court Theatre. The area has lots of elegant period properties.

Holy Trinity Church
Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHoly_Trinity_Sloane_Street_Church_Exterior_-_Diliff.jpg

Nicky Browne has booked us a slot in the amazing Arts & Crafts Holy Trinity church in Sloane Street, from 11.00am to 3.00pm for anyone who wants to draw in there. The church’s architect was John Dando Sedding, and the interior includes stained glass by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

Kings Road is one of London’s most fashionable shopping streets.

Duke of York’s Square is a modern pedestrian development with café tables and fashionable shops, and sometimes a farmers’ market

The Saatchi Gallery, Charles Saatchi’s gallery staging contemporary exhibitions is in the Duke of York’s HQ on Duke of York’s Square, open from 10am to 6pm, with free admission. http://www.saatchigallery.com/

Nearby Eaton Square is one of the most prestigious addresses in London, and includes St Peter’s church, completed in 1827, designed by Henry Hakewill in the classical style.

Practical information:

The nearest underground station is Sloane Square, one stop from Victoria on the District and Circle lines.

Eating options are many and include: Peter Jones 6th floor café right on the Square, Pret a Manger 35-37 King’s Road, Comptoir Libanais on Duke of York’s Square. The Royal Court Theatre, and Saatchi Gallery also have cafes. There are plenty of loos in Peter Jones.

There’s a rather nice art shop, Green and Stone, at 259 King’s Road.



This day is run by Evelyn Rowland and Nicky Browne. The drawings of the Venus Fountain and St Peter’s church, Eaton Square, are by Evelyn Rowland.

Sketch by Evelyn Rowland

Let's Draw Sloane Square on Saturday 20 May 2017