Behind Harrods

[By James Hobbs.] Cycling in the west of London, I passed by the Ecuadorian embassy, which, with the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange still inside more than four years after claiming asylum there, is still in the news. Obama's decision to release the whistleblower Chelsea Manning has heightened speculation Assange will finally make an exit. The embassy, which shares a building with the Colombian embassy, is slap-bang behind Harrods, and watched by bored-looking press photographers from across the street. There was the hope that he would emerge as I drew the scene, but he will want, no doubt, more of a show and a larger audience when that time comes.

Behind Harrods

A farewell to dippy

 

[by Pete Scully] Dippy, the beloved Diplodocus at the Natural History Museum, is moving! This week, on the 4th of January, ol' Dippy will be packed up into lots of boxes and sent on tour around the country, while the Hintze Hall, the grand space in the Museum that has been Dippy's home since I was a little kid (1979, though Dippy's been in the Museum for more than a century), is prepared for the installation of a large Blue Whale skeleton. I'm sad to see Dippy go, but excited to see a new change in my favourite of museums. I visited London over Thanksgiving break in November. Yes, you don't have Thanksgiving in the UK, but my Californian son was off school that week and flights were cheap so we took advantage, and came back to our London family. Britain still seems to have Black Friday though, but if you're not queuing up outside Best Buy at 4am and spending the rest of the morning in Target then you're not really doing it right. It was a good week to visit London, with the UK kids still in school and Christmas starting to really get into gear - South Kensington is lovely in wintertime, with the ice skaters outside the Natural History Museum. My son loves geology so we spent the longest time looking at all the rocks and minerals on display, before finding a seat to sketch Dippy. We couldn't see him all, so only sketched his body, and being a little pushed for time I never managed my two-page Diplodocus spread this time. But I am glad I got to see hime one last time before he goes plodding around the country, to Dorset and Newcastle and so on (see details of Dippy's tour on the NHM wesbite). Here is my son's sketch of Dippy, in his new NHM sketchbook.

 

by Pete Scully

A farewell to dippy

Let's draw in and around Tate Modern - 21 January 2017

View of Switch House by Isabel Carmona

In January 2017 we are meeting to draw in and around Tate Modern, an area with spectacular views of the Thames riverside (we will be opposite St Paul’s and the City of London). The new extension to Tate Modern – the Switch House - is also spectacular and from the top we can enjoy one of London’s best panoramic views. 

Date : Saturday 21st January 2017

Timetable for the day:

• Start meeting 11 am: Meet at the riverside, below the Tate Modern chimney. In wet conditions we will be just beside the chimney by the riverside entrance to the Tate (to the left of the chimney as you look towards the building).

• Halfway meeting 1 pm: Meet on the opposite side of Tate Modern, in the new circular terrace just outside the entrance to the new extension, between the Switch House entrance and the Terrace entrance.  If it is wet, we will be just inside the Terrace entrance.  See map of level 1 (http://www.tate.org.uk/download/file/fid/105226) 

• Finish meeting point, 3:30 pm: Meet inside, in the middle of the Turbine Hall, level 0,at the bottom of the ramp coming down from the Turbine Hall entrance.

• Afterwards - meeting point to continue discussions and drinks (and to draw some more if you wish), from around 4pm: Meet at the bar of the Citizen M Hotel in Lavington Street, almost Southwark Street. 

Tate Modern is free of charge (other than for special exhibitions) and there are extensive collection displays in both the Boiler House and the new Switch House extension.  See all you can do here: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern

Drawing possibilities are inexhaustible around here, amongst others you could draw:

• the riverside with views of the St Paul’s embankment, the Millennium Bridge, 

• Tate Modern, outside or inside including the Turbine Hall and the new Switch House interior architecture,

• one of the best views in London from level 10 of the Switch House,

• the new terrace and mini park by the Terrace entrance

• People inside, outside the museum and around the cafes, the riverside, everywhere.

Please note the Gallery Rules: http://www.tate.org.uk/about/who-we-are/policies-and-procedures/gallery-rules  which state: ‘The use of charcoal, pastels, permanent marker, and watercolour or oil paint is not allowed in the galleries'.  We have sought clarification and this includes all areas of the building. 

View of St Paul's from Tate Modern by Isabel Carmona

How to get here: There is a map and information about transport and facilities on the Tate website: http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern#visit

There are plenty of cafes and sandwich bars for various budgets either inside Tate Modern or around Sumner Street, Convey Street or Southwark Street. The only pub in the area, the Founders Arms serves food but it is normally very busy.

In any case, there is so much to do and see around here and so little time, that you'll be itching to keep on drawing! 

We look forward to this day sketching together in London

Day organisers: Isabel Carmona and Dionisa Joseph Mattam.

Let's draw in and around Tate Modern - 21 January 2017

Urban Sketchers London exhibition at Timberyard Soho

Five artists are on show in the latest exhibition by Urban Sketchers London. The venue is Timberyard Soho, the award winning 'creative hub' cafe and open workspace in the heart of London. 

Nick Richards, James Hobbs, Isabel Carmona, Jo Dungey and Isabelle Laliberte
on show at Timberyard Soho from November 2016

The featured artists are Nick Richards, James Hobbs, Isabel Carmona, Jo Dungey and Isabelle Laliberte. Each artwork is drawn on location in London, following the Urban Sketchers manifesto pledge 'to show the world one drawing at a time'. 

Photo: C Barlow Marrs

The exhibition will run for several months. Some of the works are for sale -- and would make ideal seasonal gifts!

Photo: Lis Watkins

Timberyard Soho
Cafe Design of the Year 2016 ‘GOLD’ Award Winner
4 Noel Street
London W1F 8GB

Regular hours 
Mon-Fri 8am - 7pm
Sat-Sun 11am-6pm

Holiday hours 2016
Christmas Eve 11am - 6pm
Christmas  Day Closed
Boxing Day Closed
27-31 December 10am-6pm
New Years Day Closed
2-8 January 2017 10am-6pm

Photo: tyuk.com/locations/ty-soho

Urban Sketchers London exhibition at Timberyard Soho

Under the mistletoe at Covent Garden

Urban Sketchers London do Covent Garden
December 2016

Giant mistletoe and Christmas baubles, carol singers, buskers and conjurors, historic buildings and crowds of shoppers – Urban Sketchers tackled them all at Covent Garden.  

Our monthly sketchcrawl was on Saturday 10 December, and plenty of people took up the challenge to capture the pre-Christmas scenes. At least two sketchers sold their drawings to impressed passers-by!  Here are just a few examples of the great range of sketches.

This USk London sketchcrawl was brought to you by Jo Dungey

Next sketchcrawl: Saturday 21 January 2017 at Tate Modern organised by Isabel Carmona with Dionisa Joseph Mattam 

Katie Clare - unmissable mistletoe

Karen Jones - really unmissable
 mistletoe 

Daniel Lloyd-Morgan's sketch drew compliments from an appreciative busker playing Bob Dylan and Neil Young, harmonica and all

Sketching double at Covent Garden

Helen Pavli

Katerina Antipina

Monica Phillips - Lunchtime concert at St Paul's Church by Velehrad Choir of the Czech Republic 

Sheila Spencer - Street performer Captain Franko checked to be sure Sheila had included him in her sketch -- and he gave her his promotional leaflet.

Nick Richards - Neal's Yard

Under the mistletoe at Covent Garden

Vauxhall in the rain

Group shot at the end of the day, with everybody 'exhibiting' their work at Tate Britain.

Thank you to everybody who came along to the sketchcrawl in Vauxhall on Saturday.  Despite the persistent rain, there was a good turnout and lots of positive comments about the location.  Here are just a few snaps of the sketches made during the day.

The next sketchcrawl is Saturday 10th December in Covent Garden.

People sketched by Jimmy

Local landmark, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, drawn by Rachel

Sketch of the bus station by Lara

Watercolours from Katy. With added water.

Watercolour sketch by Christine inside Starbucks

Black and white drawing inside the Tate by Sarah

Study of 'Jacob and the Angel' by Sarra

Vauxhall in the rain

Let's draw London in 2017

Welcome to our sketchcrawl schedule for 2017

No need to book, no fee to pay -- just bring your own sketching kit and show up on the day 

This is our provisional programme for the year. We will post more details for each sketchcrawl -- including meeting times and locations -- a few weeks in advance of each event. And if anything changes, we will publish amendments here, too. This programme is brought to you by Jo Dungey and Lis Watkins.  

Saturday 21 January 2017 We start the year with a contemporary subject - Tate Modern.  On the South Bank, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern opened a new extension in June 2016, designed by Herzog and de Meuron.  Draw the collection, the public spaces and views over London. This day is run by Isabel Carmona with Dionisa Joseph Mattam

Saturday 25 February 2017 Our February event is based at the Barbican Arts Centre in the City of London.  This offers a chance to draw interior and exterior views, and visitors involved in the activities of the Centre.  We could also venture out to draw the City, old and new, and the Museum of London is nearby. This day is run by Olga Mackness with Lis Watkins

Saturday 25 March 2017 This month we head for Forest Hill, South London, to the Horniman Museum and Gardens. The museum was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend in the Arts and Crafts style, and it has several interesting more recent buildings.  There are extensive gardens with views over London, and a small city farm including alpaca and sheep.  Inside, the collections include natural history, musical instruments of the world, and an aquarium. This day is run by Nick Richards with Jo Dungey

Saturday 29 April 2017 We visit Alexandra Palace in North London, a dramatic Victorian building.  This is set in parkland with panoramic views.  We can draw the building inside and out, including an indoor skating rink, and the Palm Court with sphinxes.  The park includes a boating lake and sports facilities. This day is run by Elizabeth Blunt with Daniel Lloyd-Morgan

Saturday 20 May 2017 Sloane Square in Chelsea provides our focus in May. This area offers a mix of historic buildings, including churches, shops, statues and the Royal Court theatre.  The Saatchi Gallery and Duke of York Square are nearby and there is often a farmers’ market. This day is run by Evelyn Rowland with Nicky Browne

Saturday 17 June 2017 This day will be focused on two locations: Charterhouse Square and neighbouring Clerkenwell. In Charterhouse Square is the Charterhouse, an ancient former monastery and chapel, which has very recently been partly opened to the public, with a new museum. Clerkenwell is an interesting neighbourhood, with a mix of old and new buildings and a concentration of design professions. We will visit the St John’s Gate and museum, including its beautiful Cloister Garden. This replaces the visit to the Inns of Court originally proposed. This day is run by Jo Dungey with Gafung Wong

Saturday 15 July 2017 In July we spend a summer’s day by the river at Richmond, in West London.  This offers elegant terraced streets, a view of the river painted by Turner, historic buildings, boats and bridges. This day is run by Helen Hayhoe and John Webb

Saturday 19 August 2017 This month we visit Hyde Park.  Each year the Serpentine Galleries commission a temporary summer pavilion by a contemporary architect, which we could draw.  Other options are park views, the boating lake, the Italian Gardens, summer visitors, and sculptures old and new.  The Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall are nearby. This day is run by Jo Dungey with Nicky Browne

Saturday 9 September 2017 In September, we explore Highgate, including Waterlow Park, the newly renovated Lauderdale House, and Highgate Cemetery, perhaps the most famous of London’s Victorian cemeteries. This day is run by Dougie Simpson with Jo Dungey

Saturday 14 October 2017 We visit Spitalfields in October, where the Spitalfields Market is a modern redevelopment in a historic area.  Nearby, Christ Church is a Hawksmoor masterpiece surrounded by Georgian houses. This day is run by Cathryn Worrell with Daniel Lloyd-Morgan

Saturday 18 November 2017 In November, we draw Kennington.  We explore the area around Kennington Road, South London, including the Imperial War Museum, Cleaver Square and the Newport Street Gallery. This day is run by Isabel Carmona with John Swanson

Saturday 9 December 2017 We end the year at the Kensington museums – the Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum.  There is also usually an ice rink outside the Natural History Museum. This day is run by Lis Watkins with Philip Stones

Let's draw London in 2017