We drew Waterloo Station - Saturday 12 March 2022

Sketchbooks aloft at Waterloo Station

On 12 March a bumper crowd gathered under the clock at Waterloo Station, ready for the start of the March sketchcrawl. 

Urban sketchers are not known for bureaucracy, but we were happy to follow the few rules set by station staff. Sketchers were invited to let us know if they wished to attend, and we had a list of names ready to tick off. It was actually great to find out the names of people we had seen sketching over the years, interesting to know we had some iconic folk among us, and cheery to greet new people.

View from on high
Sketch by Debby Au

These first few post-lockdown events are poignant: people share big stories about the last two years. Among us were people venturing out for the first time, and others experiencing great loss. As ever, the positivity of the group was warming. We think that about 70 people were with us over the day, some from far afield. It’s good to see travellers back with us.

Mike Whally sketching on the balcony
Photo by Helen Hayhoe

The station offered great variety and challenge – the architecture, the crowds and the surprising commemorative carvings offered rich material to sketch. The exterior of the building and the surrounding streets were equally attractive.

Victory Arch at Waterloo Station
Sketch by Paul Gadenne

The day was mostly peaceful; rugby fans on the way to Twickenham provided cheer, and the ever-changing mass of people were safely observed from the balcony. We were glad when an unattended bag was claimed just as the area was being cleared by zealous staff (the owner was right there). Sunshine made for intermittent colour play in the translucent roof, and those sketching outside stayed just on the right side of chilly. 

A carved stone cherub
Sketch by Helen Hayhoe

Each of the two throwdowns revealed a range of sketches, from full paintings to an evocative line. There is always a frisson of wishful thinking as we admire each others’ perception and technique. But in the end we celebrate the diversity and the joy in sketching together. We were pleased to have the opportunity of sketching at Waterloo. 

Waiting at the new platforms
Sketch by Sasala Wickramasinghe

Our next sketchcrawl will be on Saturday 23 April at St James Park and surrounds. Do sign up to the blog to receive emails about all our events. 

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Draw London with us in April, May and June!

We'll be sketching in St James's Park, Camden and Twickenham in the coming months. Find out more at Let's draw London in 2022.

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Follow Urban Sketchers London on social media

And on Instagram use the hashtag #urbansketcherslondon to have your drawings featured.

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We drew Waterloo Station - Saturday 12 March 2022

Drawing Attention - March 2022

Don't miss the March 2022 edition of Drawing Attention, the monthly zine from Urban Sketchers.

In this issue London urban sketcher Adam Topór makes the news in 'Sketching through the graveyard shift'. Adam represented Great Britain in a 24 hour sketching marathon in Prague and was one of just three sketchers still standing at the end. Well done all!

Sketching stamina stars Adam, Marta and Jan.

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Follow Urban Sketchers London on Instagram and use the hashtag #urbansketcherslondon to have your drawings featured

• Instagram    @urbansketcherslondon
• Facebook    @USKLondon
• Twitter         @UrbSketchLondon 

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Drawing Attention - March 2022

Let's draw Waterloo Station - Saturday 12 March 2022

Our first meeting point of the day: The Waterloo Clock,
'one of the most famous meeting places in London'
From 15 Things to Do at Waterloo Station in London for the History Buff 

[By Nigel Gibson and Helen Hayhoe]

In March we draw Waterloo Station

Waterloo Station is a major rail and Underground station in London with services all across the South West of England, including Bournemouth, Exeter, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester. There are multiple platforms, including what was once the Eurostar terminal. 

The station has some interesting sculptures and commemorative plaques as well as views across the river, and is good for people watching. 

The day is free of charge, no need to book, just turn up with your artist’s materials.

Waterloo Station 14 January 2016

by Paulina Little

By special permission

Waterloo Station has kindly given permission for our large group to sketch at the station for this event. They have asked that each of us sign in at station reception when we arrive. It's no. 7 on this map of Waterloo Station, near Costa Coffee (no.5) and the information desk (no. 9). You may need to show valid photo ID.

Detail of the Waterloo Station map
We are asked to sign in at station reception when we arrive.

We have been asked to estimate numbers and to provide names of possible attendees. If you plan to join in, please send us your name at urbansketcherslondon{at}gmail.com and we will include you on our list. 

NB: Please allow extra time to sign in before our 11am start.

Tag your sketches on Twitter

Waterloo Station encourage us to post some of our sketches on their Twitter feed -- just use their Twitter tag @LondonWaterloo.

Key times and meeting points

Meeting points and local landmarks are shown on our location map at the end of this blog post. 

11 AM

Meet underneath the Waterloo Clock in the main concourse – not the clock by the main entrance! It is sheltered from the weather and close to many amenities such as Costa for coffees / drinks and Marks & Spencer’s Food Hall for snacks and sandwiches.

1 PM

Meet again at the upper concourse (Balcony Level) at the end closest to the main entrance at Victory Arch. There are some benches there, and the area can be directly accessed via escalators. This location can be found at location B1 on the station map.

3.30 PM

Meet again (at the same place as for 1 PM) to view drawings and to take some group photographs. 

Afterwards

For those who would like to linger after our final meeting of the day, join us at the bar in the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre across the street from Waterloo Station (see our location map).

Royal Festival Hall

Options for drawing

• The Victory Arch was designed by J R Scott, the chief architect. Made of Portland stone and bronze, it depicts War and Peace, with Britannia holding the torch of liberty above. Leading from Station Approach onto the concourse, the Victory Arch forms the main entrance to Waterloo. Look up and see the colours of the glass roof. There's more at 15 things to do at Waterloo Station in London for the History Buff.

London and South Western Railway Waterloo Station

Sketch of Main Entrance [Victory Arch] 1921-22 by architect J R Scott

• Graffiti tunnel There is a famous and constantly changing graffiti tunnel underneath Waterloo Station at Leake St. 

• South Bank Arts Complex has a variety of concert halls, cafes and galleries. Their web site lists some of the attractions which are available, including a food market.

• Lower Marsh has a flea market on Saturdays and is a short stroll from Waterloo Station. Some information is available on Tripadvisor. 

• The London Eye is nearby alongside the Thames. 

History of Waterloo Station

Replacing the first terminus of the London & Southampton Railway at Nine Elms, Waterloo Station was opened in 1848 by the London & South Western Railway as part of extending the line two miles to be nearer the city. This original station, known as ‘central station’, had six platforms.

From its very earliest days the station was popular with race goers travelling to Epsom -- the original station opening in 1848 was brought forward a week to enable passengers to travel to the Derby by rail for the first time. In modern times Ascot Week sees thousands of passengers dressed up for a day at the races. 

On a more sombre note, nearby there was the London Necropolis Railway station, which took coffins to Brookwood Cemetery. It was damaged by bombing during WWII and never rebuilt.

For more information about the history of Waterloo Station there is an historical timelineon the Network Rail website and a recent book Waterloo Station: A History of London's Busiest Terminus by Robert Lordan (2021).

Waterloo Station in popular culture

Many films and TV series have used Waterloo Station as a backdrop, including The Constant Gardener (2005), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Arabesque (1966), Howl (2015) and The 7.39 (2014).

There’s a book of poetry, A Ghost in Waterloo Station by Bert Almon (2007), and of course the classic song 'Waterloo Sunset' by The Kinks, with the lyrics: 'As long as I gaze on
 Waterloo sunset 
I am in paradise'.

There is a map of the whole of Waterloo Station.

Looking up at Waterloo: The glass station roof alight in winter sun
Sketch by Helen Hayhoe

Safety and security guidelines

The beauty of our sketchcrawls is their informality, but we would like to comply with the following sensible rules, so thank you for doing so.

The relevant guidelines at Waterloo Station are mostly common sense:

• remain in public areas
• don’t choose a position where you’re going to be in anybody’s way (e.g. close to entrances and escalators)
• stay behind the yellow line if you’re going onto the platforms
• don’t overhang the balcony balustrade, and
• don’t leave any items unattended. 

Please check the guidelines recommended by Network Rail which apply of course to artists and sketchers as well as the general public.

Practical information

Waterloo Station is a major transport hub serviced by trains, buses and the Underground including Jubilee, Northern, District and Circle Lines. You can also travel by bike.

Photo by Nigel Gibson

Driving is not recommended unless you are confident on London roads and have a parking location planned.  

Toilets at the station are free and generally well maintained. 

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
• respect those who choose to wear a mask
• give people space, and
• practice good hand hygiene.

There is also the option of self-testing before the event. 

See you at Waterloo Station! 

The day is run by Nigel Gibson and Helen Hayhoe.

Location map

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Draw London with us in April, May and June!

We'll be sketching in Camden, St James's Park and Twickenham in the coming months. Find out more at Let's draw London in 2022.

⧫ ⧫ ⧫

Follow Urban Sketchers London on Instagram and use the hashtag #urbansketcherslondon to have your drawings featured

• Instagram    @urbansketcherslondon
• Facebook    @USKLondon
• Twitter         @UrbSketchLondon 

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Let's draw Waterloo Station - Saturday 12 March 2022

To Remind: Let's draw Sloane Square Saturday 26 February 2022

View from the café at Peter Jones

Sketch by Lis Watkins

= In case you missed the original blog post  =

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.

We meet at 11am at the Venus fountain in Sloane Square.

For  details, have a look at the blog post for this event.

The day is led by John Swanson and Jimmy Lu.

See you at Sloane Square!

Find Urban Sketchers London on social media

• Instagram    @urbansketcherslondon
• Facebook    @USKLondon
• Twitter         @UrbSketchLondon 

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Celebrating a decade of Urban Sketchers London

2012 - 2022 

From the archives: We drew at the Wellcome Collection in 2018
Photo by Cathryn Worrell

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To Remind: Let's draw Sloane Square Saturday 26 February 2022

To remind: Deadline 25 February 2022 - Design a new logo for Urban Sketchers London

It's the 10 year anniversary of Urban Sketchers London, and we're on the lookout for a new logo.

Could you be the one who designs it?

In case you missed our original call for submissions, here are the basics.

What's the deadline?

We're accepting submissions until midnight (GMT) on 25 February 2022.

What do we have in mind?

We’re looking for a unique and timeless design which will represent Urban Sketchers London as a community. The winning design will be unveiled at the 10-year celebrations event in London in July, and will become the official USk London logo thereafter. 

Who can submit?

We welcome submissions from anyone who can capture the USk London ethos in a logo. The design should adhere to the parameters specified in the official Urban Sketchers Logo Identity Guide. Please ensure you have read and understood these guidelines before you plan your design.

What are we offering the winner?

The winner will receive a cash prize of £100 and a set of handmade brushes from Rosemary & Co.

Where are all the details?

You'll find everything you need to know -- guidelines, terms and conditions and a link to the Google form for submissions -- in our original call for submissions. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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St Paul's Cathedral
Sketch by John Webb

Celebrating a decade of Urban Sketchers London

2012 - 2022 

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Find Urban Sketchers London on social media

• Instagram    @urbansketcherslondon
• Facebook    @USKLondon
• Twitter         @UrbSketchLondon 

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To remind: Deadline 25 February 2022 - Design a new logo for Urban Sketchers London

Let's draw Sloane Square - Saturday 26 February 2022

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

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

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.

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. 

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.

Saatchi Gallery at Duke of York Square

• Fine Food Market

On Saturdays the Duke of York Square Fine Food Market is open from 10am to 4pm, with the opportunity to draw people and market stalls – and to eat. 

• Café at Peter Jones

For another indoor sketching option, the top floor of Peter Jones department store has a café with a panoramic view over West London.

Sir Hans Sloane's statue stands not in Sloane Square but in Duke of York Square
Sketch by John Swanson

Practical information

Sloane Square Underground station, on the Circle and District Lines, is right on the square.

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!

⧫ ⧫ ⧫

Follow Urban Sketchers London on Instagram and use the hashtag #urbansketcherslondon to have your drawings featured!

• Instagram    @urbansketcherslondon
• Facebook    @USKLondon
• Twitter         @UrbSketchLondon 

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Let's draw Sloane Square - Saturday 26 February 2022

Call for submissions: Urban Sketchers London logo competition

 

Put your illustration skills into action to design a unique and timeless logo for Urban Sketchers London and win a great prize!

What's the deadline?

We're accepting submissions until midnight (GMT) on 25 February 2022.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for a unique and timeless design which will represent Urban Sketchers London as a community. The winning design will be unveiled at the 10-year celebrations event in London in July, and will become the official USk London logo thereafter. 

Who can submit?

We welcome submissions from anyone who can capture the USk London ethos in a logo. 

The design should adhere to the parameters specified in the official Urban Sketchers Logo Identity Guide. Please ensure you have read and understood these guidelines before you plan your design.

The logo should:

• represent London and the USk London community
• be clear, even as a small-scale icon
• be in black and/or grey
• fit an area of 5:13 ratio.

Here are a few examples from the Urban Sketchers Logo Identity Guide that you will need to keep in mind:

And what not to do:

How to submit designs: 

• Complete and submit the Google Form with your design attached.
• Please submit only one design per person. 
• The design can be submitted as a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG) or as an image file (JPG, PNG). If possible, please submit the design in both vector and image formats. 

How do we select the best design? 

1. A judging panel which consists of USk London admins will shortlist three designs from anonymised submissions (the judges' decision is final). 
2. The three shortlisted designs will then be open for public vote.  
3. The design which attracts the most votes will win the competition.   
4. We will contact the winner once voting closes, and work with them to edit (if required, and within the design parameters) and/or convert the design to its final usable format.

What are we offering the winner?

The winner will receive a cash prize of £100 and a set of handmade brushes from Rosemary & Co.

Here are our terms and conditions

• Submissions are free of charge. 
• By submitting your logo design for selection, you confirm that this is your own work and you are the rightful owner of the design.
• By submitting your design, you give permission to Urban Sketchers London to reproduce it and include it in all USk London promotional material and social media outlets, without remuneration to you.
• The copyright of the original design remains with the designer, and full acknowledgement will be given in all relevant materials and situations. 

Data protection 

• By agreeing to the Terms and Conditions you also consent to share your personal data with us.
• We will use the information that is provided in the Google Form to help identify legitimate submissions and to communicate with you if your design is selected. 
• All personal data will be kept secure in a password protected spreadsheet and on a password protected Google Drive. No personal contact information will be shared outside the Urban Sketchers London admin team. 
• If your work is selected as the winning design, you will have a chance to approve the information for publication.  
• We will keep the personal data collected for contacting purposes only. We will dispose of all collected data six months after the unveiling of the final logo design.
• You are able to revoke your consent at any time during this period by contacting Urban Sketchers London via email.

And here is the link for submissions 

To submit your sketches, just fill in this Google Form for Urban Sketchers - logo design competition

Any questions?

If you have any questions, just drop us an email.

Celebrating a decade of Urban Sketchers London in 2022! 

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Find Urban Sketchers London on social media

• Instagram    @urbansketcherslondon
• Facebook    @USKLondon
• Twitter         @UrbSketchLondon 

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Call for submissions: Urban Sketchers London logo competition