Tate to Tate Sketchers!

Thanks to the small but dedicated bunch of sketchers that came down Friday last week to join me on my walk from the Tate Modern to the Tate Britain. Although the weather looked ominous to begin with, it soon brightened up into a warm and sunny afternoon.

I think the most interesting sight along the route was that of construction workers dangling from the rafters of the Blackfriars railway bridge, like giant orange bats. It was quite unusual and I'm glad we all got the opportunity to sketch it.

We also got a special guest appearance from Urban Sketcher James Hobbs, who happened to be cycling by and spotted us!

I chose to focus on smaller details of scenes to try and get more done, as it's quite a pressure when you have to keep moving. Even with our relaxed pace, I found it quite difficult to capture as much as I wanted.

I think I'll have to draw some more people next time too!

Not everyone could stay 'til the finishline, but a few of us were able to sit down and have a very pleasant drink and compare sketchbooks at the end. 

Thanks everyone! and I'm looking forward to doing something similar again soon. Details will be posted on here!

Tate to Tate Sketchers!

South Bank, London

South Bank by the Royal Festival Hall

Cycling along the South Bank's car-free riverside route is part of my regular commute, and it has become one of my favourite parts of town. It is remarkable how its character changes over a relatively short distance. The end-of-the-pier full-on tourist vibe around the London Eye is in stark contrast to the quiet pedestrian ambience of the Albert Embankment path south of Westminster Bridge just a minute away.

This drawing of the view towards Hungerford Bridge was done from the low vantage point of a cafe underneath the Royal Festival Hall. The people there seem to be waiting to go into a concert or film, or relaxing before heading home from Waterloo Station. On rainy mornings, the raucous South American-sounding buskers on the bridge have often cheered me up as I cycle by. On a sunny summer's evening, it's unbeatable here.

There's more at www.james-hobbs.blogspot.com, or follow me at @jameshobbsart.

South Bank, London