Monday 22 February 2016

Next Outing: Monday 14 March to Alexandra Palace Palm Court

Following a very satisfactory sketching visit last spring to Alexandra Palace, we have decided to revisit this splendid interior space on Monday 14 March.

We will assemble at 11am in the Palm Court, which is the Palace’s western entrance hall where we will be able to sketch the palm trees, sphinxes and pyramids under the enormous curved glass roof, as well as any other visitors.

We can also go outside and sketch the spectacular building (if dry), and the southwards panorama of London. 

Refreshments can be bought from the Bar & Kitchen which has full facilities, is interesting enough to paint, and has views from the windows.  The bar has tables in the Palm Court, if we use these we should buy some drinks or food. Otherwise we suggest you bring your sketching stools.

Ally Pally has two car parks, the closest one to the front entrance is in The Grove, (if you are coming from the Crouch End direction turn to the left just after the Garden Centre entrance, and please do not park in the Garden Centre). The other car park is at the far end of the building beside the entrance to the skating rink. We are going on a non-event day so there should be no parking difficulty, no crowds, nor any entrance fee.

Alternatively, various buses go through the park. You can find a map and full travel details here.

We look forward to another companionable sketching day out with IAS artists and their guests.

Friday 12 February 2016

Revisiting the Barbican


Seven artists met at the Barbican on a sunny February day for a drawing and painting session. We were not the only group of artists there, the Barbican is obviously a popular venue. There were good views of the central courtyard with its pond, the church, St Giles without Cripplegate and the City of London School for Girls.

It was also possible to get views into the spectacular upper level conservatory and the lower level foyers. The Barbican Kitchen provided coffee and lunch, together with a warm base from which to draw the courtyard and allowed the artists to exchange news and ideas around a table.