LONDON TRIATHLON IN HYDE PARK

THE BIG EVENT WEEKEND FOR TRIATHLETES WAS HELD IN HYDE PARK AGAIN THIS YEAR

This time I went along to the first day, when nothing much was happening.  The competitors were not running, swimming or cycling.  

The course was marked out with huge inflated arches over the footpaths, there were the usual metal fences everywhere along the course and a big 'village' selling every possible goods which might appeal to triathletes.  

Since I was tired from a long walk from Horse Guards Parade, past Buckingham Palace and through most of Hyde Park by the Serpentine, I sat down and did this sketch.  Need I add, somebody came along and sat on the end of the bench, obscuring my view.  This often happens!

By the Serpentine, Triathlon weekend

HORSE GUARDS PARADE

Earlier the same day I enjoyed watching the troops parading down The Mall, bands playing merrily.

In my sketch, also later obscured by a pushy young woman, you can see the red stands in the Horse Guards, and the policemen lining the route.

It was the Saturday of the Major General's Review, Trooping the Colour.  This was a full dress rehearsal of the Queen's Birthday Parade, to be held on 13 June, 2015.

View of Horse Guards Parade, before the troops arrived

V & A MUSEUM, EXHIBITION OF FASHION

V & A MUSEUM, SOUTH KENSINGTON HAS AN EXHIBITION OF WORK BY  THE LATE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen is the designer I know very little about, except that his fashion design was delightfully surreal and unconventional.

I visited the 'block-buster' exhibition intending to do a quick drawing or two, but found out at the entrance that drawing was not permitted.  This was a big disappointment.  

I walked along to the Fashion Department of the Museum and stopped to draw one of the display cases, where the lighting was very dim.   The displays were of 1960s clothes, including Mary Quant, Jean Paul Gautier and Perla, the maker of iconic lady's underwear.  Here is the sketch.

V & A Museum Fashion Display, South Kensington

VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN LONDON, 2015

THE VE DAY COMMEMORATION IN LONDON,  MAY 2015

I was in Green Park, near Horse Guards Parade, on the Sunday of this particular weekend. 

I drew the Hawker Hurricane Mk II, part of a display of World War 2 military vehicles which was on display in this lovely park.

Later I drew a small tank, which was parked facing The Mall, bright with flags.  

While we were there, we saw HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall walk from Clarence House to the big marquee in the park. Inside, the veterans from the earlier parade were having a meal and chatting to the guests. They seemed to be enjoying all the excitement.

Hawker Hurricane MkII

Tank in The Mall, VEDay 70

SUMMER TIME - AND THE SKETCHING GETS EASIER IN THE SUNSHINE

SKETCHING IN LONDON IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER - GREAT WEATHER SO FAR.

The Morden Hall Park May Fair is in a green oasis of river and meadows. but livened up every year for the popular May Fair, complete with animals and birds in pens to pet, the usual Dodgems and Roundabouts or Carousals, plus several Bouncy Castles.  Here are my sketches.

Terrier Racing, new to me but fun!

By the bouncy castle

Two small hairy pigs

The Dodgems

DEEN CITY FARM

A couple of weeks later I went to see the animals at Deen City Farm, near the River Wandle in South London.  A bit difficult to draw the animals here, as there were so many families busily enjoying themselves.

Families at Deen City Farm

NEW URBAN SKETCHES IN LONDON, SPRING 2015,

OUT DRAWING WITH THE URBAN SKETCHERS LONDON GROUP

To St Paul's Cathedral and the surrounding streets, sketching on a sunny Saturday in April.

The little model of Shaun the Sheep

Under the Millennium Bridge over the River Thames

The bronze memorial to the London Firefighters in the Blitz

DRAWINGS AT THE BOAT RACE, PUTNEY AND OTHER PLACES

DRAWINGS AT THE BOAT RACE, PUTNEY ON APRIL 11 2015

Saturday this year was fine and sunny so a good day for sitting out with my sketch pad and crayons. The first sketch was done from the Fulham bank of the River Thames, on the edge of Bishops Park.  There is a good view of the Putney bank, where the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race begins each year.  As it was late morning, there were no crowds, they all arrived later!  Then the plubs along the river bank are swarming, with long queues to get served for beers and the famous Pimms.

It was interesting to talk to a photographer, Harald Joergens, who was working on some images of the locality, and later, on the boat crews for the women's race, the first one to be held on the same day as the men's race.

View of Putney Pier, boat race morning, Star and Garter pub.

The next drawing was done from the upstream side of Putney Bridge, with its ornate lamp standards and the crowds starting to gather.  It was late afternoon.

Putney Pier, boat race afternoon, spectators.

Last sketch done while waiting for the start of the women's race, they come through the piers of the bridge before the race starts, then they turn round and go back through the bridge, to the start.

Oxford women's eight, Boat Race at Putney Bridge

DRAWINGS MADE IN LONDON - SLOANE SQUARE AND VICTORIA STREET

The drawing in Sloane Square, shows the famous Royal Court Theatre where there is a performance of  The Twits, from the story by Roald Dahl. You can also see the war memorial, the buses and taxis

Sloane Square pigeons, Royal Court Theatre

This drawing was done sitting in Christchurch Gardens in Victoria Street, London, not far from the Palace of Westminster. I was intrigued by the wrapping on the huge buildings, being refurbished I guess.

Wrapped building in Victoria Street, London SW1

URBAN SKETCHING IN LONDON - WINTER AND SPRING 2015

ON SITE WITH MY SKETCHBOOK AND RELATED PAINTS, PENCILS, CRAYONS

Drawing with the Urban Sketchers London Group twice so far this year, once in the British Museum and then at the Victoria and Albert Museum. 

Also out with Drawing London on Location group to the South Bank, London.

My art materials are a mixed bag, usually a watercolour box, some of the water reservoir brushes which you can buy at Cass Art, some water soluble sticks, Derwent Inktense, a few black pens, white gouache paint, and some old crayons.

The museums in London have various regulations for artists.  For instance the Victoria and Albert Museum does not allow any water, so watercolours are out, unless of course you use the water reservoir brushes I mentioned, and they have to be used very carefully.

The British Museum has similar regulations but is not so prescriptive. You can usually find a folding stool to sketch sitting down.

I have also been out drawing on my own, weather permitting. Here are a few sketches

British Museum, tomb figure, Japanese Collection

V & A Museum, Ceramics collection

V & A Museum, entrance and Info desk

British Museum, Napoleon and the British,

British Museum, Samurai armour

Winter garden colour

Royal Academy Allen Jone exhibition, sculptures

Morden town centre, buses

South Bank, Nation Theatre cafe bar

Snow, London garden

Krispy Kreem Vintage Car rally