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