Friday, 14 April 2023

Let's draw Richmond - Saturday 20 May or Sunday 4 June 2023


Richmond Green - sketch by John Webb

 

Let's draw London in 2023 - Find our full programme here


This May and June we return to the pretty town of Richmond.



So good we are sketching twice! We are aiming to reduce the size of our sketching crowds by repeating this sketchwalk on two different dates.

Join us on either of the dates above to sketch in this historic and interesting location beside the River Thames. On the location map below are the historic Richmond Green and Richmond Theatre, the ancient Old Palace Yard, the spectacle of Richmond Riverside, a vibrant market, and the option to climb Richmond Hill to sketch the only view in the country that is protected by an Act of Parliament. There are many opportunities for refreshment throughout the day.

The day is run by Helen Hayhoe and John Swanson.

Meeting point at 11am

We will gather by the red telephones on the corner of Richmond Green, by the Prince’s Head and Cricketers pubs (scroll down to see our location map). This is about a 10 minute walk from Richmond Train Station and five minutes from Richmond Bus Station (see location map below).

Meeting place at 11am - Red telephone boxes at Richmond Green
Sketch by Mark Stow

Options for drawing

  • Richmond Riverside  Wander down Water Lane to find the River Thames, with its boats, bridges and terraces.

Richmond Riverside
Sketch by John Swanson

  • Richmond Palace  Just off the Green is the former location of Henry VII Palace with an old arched entrance which dates from 1501.

Richmond Palace gate
Sketch by Steven Baker


  • ‘The View’  Walk up Hill Rise (about 20 minutes) to the Terrace overlooking Petersham Meadows and the River Thames. The view was famously painted by JWM Turner, among others. It is a fabulous place to sketch, with plenty of benches and The Roebuck Pub for refreshment.
The View - Richmond Hill
Sketch by Helen Hayhoe

  • Richmond Theatre  On Little Green is Richmond Theatre, a perfect late Victorian building.


Key times and meeting points

11 AM

We will meet by the red telephones on the corner of Richmond Green, by the Prince’s Head and Cricketers pubs. This is about a 10 minute walk from Richmond Train Station and five minutes from Richmond Bus Station (see location map below).

Meeting place at 11am
Photo by Helen Hayhoe

1 PM

Meet at the memorial statue of Bernard O’Higgins* for the lunchtime throwdown and group photo. You will find the spot at Richmond Bridge, accessed next to Bill’s restaurant. Here is a small green area tucked above the steps and ramp down to Tide Tables Café. There is room here for a throwdown. We are aiming for people to file by the sketches in a clockwise direction so that we all get a chance to view them. The lovely Tide Tables Café nearby is a great place for lunch.

Location map for our 1PM throwdown at the Bernardo O'Higgins statue - click to see detail
Sketch by Helen Hayhoe



If it is raining, we will meet just over the zebra crossing in the Colonnades, which will give some shelter.

Meeting place at 1pm and 3.30 pm - The memorial bust of Bernard O'Higgins
Photo by Helen Hayhoe


*Bernard O’Higgins was a Chilean independence leader who freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence

Meeting place at 1pm and 3.30 pm if it rains --
The Colonnades outside Knight Frank estate agents
Photograph by Helen Hayhoe


3.30 PM
Meet at the same place for the afternoon throwdown and group photo.

Afterwards

We suggest the White Cross Pub on the riverside for a drink afterwards.

NB: The towpath may be submerged! The tide may be high on these dates, with High Water at 4 to 4.30pm. 

The White Cross Pub
Sketch by Nick Richards

Practical information

Food and drink and conveniences

There are many cafés and pubs nearby to keep us refreshed throughout the day.

Nearby loos can be found in Richmond Station, Marks and Spencer on George Street and The Old Town Hall. There are numerous cafes and pubs with facilities. Richmond is part of the Community Toilet Scheme which lists other options.

Getting there

Public transport

Travel to Richmond upon Thames is quick and easy. Located in Zone 4 and 5 of London’s travel network, it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the borough from London Waterloo station.

The borough is connected with direct railway (South Western Railway) and London Underground links. The town is served by many buses.

Accessibility

All of the locations mentioned in this post are wheelchair-accessible. Richmond Museum has an accessible toilet, and there is one at Eileen’s Café along the towpath towards Petersham Meadow. Please let us know if you need support on the day.

Covid guidance

Urban Sketchers London remains alert to national guidance about COVID-19 and its variants. 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
  • Practice good hand hygiene.

Further information

If you're new to Urban Sketchers London, have a look at Mike Whalley's brief history of the international Urban Sketchers movement.


Location map


See you at Richmond!




 

Let's draw London in 2023 -- Find our full programme here




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Wednesday, 12 April 2023

To remind - Let's draw Shoreditch Saturday 15 April or Sunday 30 April 2023

 

Beigel Bake, the famous Brick Lane bakery
Sketch by Jia You 

 

Let's draw London in 2023! Find our full programme here



= To remind = 

This April we go to the trendy neighbourhood of Shoreditch in East London

[Led by Jia You and Jimmy Lu]


This month we're organising two sketch walks in Shoreditch -- one on a Saturday and another on a Sunday -- to reduce the size of our sketching crowds. Check out our original blog post for this event, then join us on Saturday 15 April or Sunday 30 April for an outstanding day of urban sketching.

See you at Shoreditch!



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Sunday, 19 March 2023

Let's draw Shoreditch - Saturday 15 April and Sunday 30 April 2023

Beigel Bake, the famous Brick Lane bakery
Sketch by Jia You 

 

Let's draw London in 2023 - Find our full programme here



This April we go to the trendy neighbourhood of Shoreditch in East London

[Led by Jia You and Jimmy Lu]


Located in the East End of London, Shoreditch is a trendy and bustling neighbourhood that has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Once an industrial area, it is now a hub for thriving industries such as arts, fashion and technology.

With attractions such as Brick Lane, the Truman Brewery Market, vintage markets and street art, Shoreditch offers a wealth of opportunities for urban sketching. The neighbourhood is renowned for its vibrant street art scene, diverse architecture and creative energy, providing an ideal environment for artists to explore and capture. Whether you're drawn to the energy of the streets or the intricate details of the built environment, Shoreditch offers something for every urban sketcher.


There is no cost, just wrap up warm and bring your sketching kit.

Meeting point


Our meeting point for the day is Boundary Garden, a small raised park on a roundabout surrounded by blocks of flats. It's a three minute walk from Shoreditch High Street Station, and a 15 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. If the weather is rainy we'll meet inside the bandstand (see photo).


 Boundary Garden, our meeting point for the day
Photo by Jia You


Options for drawing

Outdoors

  • Box Park - This food and retail park is made of repurposed shipping containers, and features a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as plenty of outdoor seating areas that offer great opportunities for sketching. Open Saturdays 11am - 11.45pm, and on Sundays 11am–10.30pm.
  • Brick Lane - This historic street is famous for its vibrant street art and colourful storefronts. There are plenty of murals and installations to be found on and around the street, making it a great place to draw urban art. Don’t forget to stop by the famous bakery Beigel Bake
  • Truman Brewery - It is a historic complex of buildings that once housed a brewery and now serves as a hub for creative businesses, galleries, shops and restaurants.
  • Redchurch Street - Redchurch Street is a destination in Shoreditch known for its independent shops, cafes, and galleries. It's a great place to draw interesting architecture, street art, and people-watching opportunities.

The Truman Brewery
Sketch by Jia You


Indoors
  • Spitalfields Market (12 minute walk from Boundary Garden) - This historic market has been a hub of commerce and creativity for centuries, and today it offers a mix of independent shops, food stalls, and events. The covered market hall is home to a variety of vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, and offers plenty of interesting subjects to draw. Hours on Saturdays and Sundays are 9am - 11 pm.
  • Museum of the Home (formerly known as the Geffrye Museum, 10 minute walk from Boundary Garden) - This museum of the home features a series of period rooms that offer a glimpse into the domestic lives of Londoners over the past 400 years. It's a great place to sketch furniture, objects, and interiors. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm.
  • Café life - There are so many good cafes in Shoreditch: Attendant, Allpress Espresso Bar, or any other café you can find!

Spitalfield Market
Sketch by Jia You




Key times and meeting points

11 AM


Meet in Boundary Garden. There is a bandstand on the top of it. It's a three minute walk from Shoreditch High Street Station or a 15 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. If the weather is rainy we'll meet inside the bandstand.


1 PM


Meet in Boundary Garden again to show sketchbooks and take our lunchtime group photo. In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside the bandstand.


3.30 PM


Meet back at the same spot to look at the day’s work and take the afternoon group photo.


Afterwards


If you would like to linger for a while to chat (and sketch!) we will then move to the nearby pub Brewdog Shoreditch at 51 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA.


Practical information


Food and drink


There are plenty of places to get food and drink in Shoreditch. Box Park and the Truman Brewery market offer a variety of food stalls. Brick Lane is home to a number of traditional Indian and Bangladeshi curry houses, many of which have been in operation for decades.

Getting there

The nearest Tube station is Shoreditch High Street Station (Overground), a three minute walk from Boundary Park. Liverpool Street Station is a 15 minute walk away.


Covid guidance


Urban Sketchers London remain alert to national guidance about COVID-19 and its variants. 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
  • Practice good hand hygiene.


Remember to tag us when you post your sketches on social media

#urbansketcherslondon

#usklondon


Location map



See you at Shoreditch!




 

Let's draw London in 2023 -- Find our full programme here




London by Urban Sketchers - Our 10 Year Anniversary Book


Urban Sketchers London on social media


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Monday, 13 March 2023

To remind -- Let's draw Greenwich Saturday 18 March 2023

 

Let's draw London - Find our 2023 sketchwalk programme here


= To remind =

This March we return to a favourite London location, Greenwich.


The City from Greenwich
Photo by Mike Whalley

 
Travel alerts!

Rail strikes are now scheduled for the weekend of 18 March, but we will meet and sketch in Greenwich as planned -- see our original post for all the details. Buses and most London Underground lines should still be in operation, albeit busy and with delays.

Ongoing maintenance works at Cutty Sark DLR Station are posing a challenge for visitors. We suggest you alight at Greenwich DLR instead -- it's just a nine minute walk from our meeting point at the National Maritime Museum. Have a look at the location map in our original blog post for this splendid sketchwalk.

See you at Greenwich!



⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫ ⧫



London by Urban Sketchers - Our 10 Year Anniversary Book


Urban Sketchers London on social media


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