Drawing the Haydn Chamber Orchestra in Rehearsal in Christchurch, Highbury, on Saturday 4 July 2026

 Nine fortunate artists presented themselves in Christchurch, Highbury, to enjoy the wonderful sound of the Haydn Chamber Orchestra and distinguished cello soloist Guy Johnston, and to draw them all at close quarters.    Under the guidance of up-and-coming conductor James Ham the Orchestra played Delius (on hearing the first cuckoo in spring), Barber's cello concerto, and Beethoven's Symphony number 2.   A fabulous time was had by us all.   We very much appreciate the kind invitation from the Orchestra to sketch them in Rehearsal, it is a very special experience.

Here are our drawings (no paintings this time!): 

 

                                                Three images above by Rujuin Hu

 

                                                Two Images above by Tricia Sharpe

 

 

                                                Three images above by Betty Wang

 

 

                                                Three images above by Janet Payne

                                                                             

                                                                            

                                                                                        

                                                  Three images above by Marni Bloor
                                                                                      

                                        Three images above by Ann Kozlowski-Hunt

                                                                             

                                                                            

                                                    Three images above by Peter Colley

                                                                                

                                                                         

                                               Two images above by Christian Cook                

 

 

 

Visit to Finsbury Circus Gardens on Tuesday 30 June 2026

19 sketchers arrived in the very elegant Finsbury Circus Gardens. This is all that remains of the original Moor Fields, a name now immortalised as an eye hospital.    The day was lovely, neither too hot nor rainy, we even had sun in the afternoon.    Landscape experts Realm designed the award winning new arrangement, which ticks many sustainability boxes and looked very attractive.  (We were pleased to see some starlings, one of the UK's fastest disappearing birds.)  The City of London Corporation must be very pleased with the result of their expenditure.   For more info about the garden design press here:

We ate our sandwiches in the Gardens, along with many office workers.  FCG  was clearly a very popular location for people working locally, and an interesting challenge for artists with lots of possibilities.

We enjoyed the various aspects of the Gardens, particularly the buildings of the Circus peeping through the trees.   Only one person tackled the architectural curve around the gardens, possibly everyone else was put off by the number of windows. 

Please enjoy our images.   

Image above by Sara Meidan

Three images above by Audrey Rapier

Image above by Gill Steiner

Image above by Diane Umemoto

Image above by Diana Marshall

Image above by Cathy Burkinshaw

Image above by Avis Dennis

Image above by Sue Loder

Image above by Janet Perkins
 

Image above by Tricia Sharpe

Image above by Peter Colley

Image above by Steve Betts

Image above by Janet Payne

Image above by Sue Lees

Image above by Diana Butement

Image above by Michelle Cowen  

Two images above by Gafung Wong

Additional sketching event: Saturday 4 July, The Haydn Chamber Orchestra in Rehearsal in Christchurch, Highbury, 159 Highbury Grove, London N5 1SA

 We are delighted to have received another kind invitation to come and sketch the Highbury Chamber Orchestra in rehearsal on the afternoon of Saturday, 4 July.  These are magical experiences for us all, the music is fantastic. Regular Art in the Park artists thoroughly enjoy these rehearsals.   This time the Orchestra will be in Christchurch, Highbury, and the rehearsal runs from 2.30 to 5.30.   We suggest that sketchers arrive by 2.15 in order not to disturb the musicians.

Details of the concert, which will be in the evening, can be found: here:   The soloist will be cellist Guy Johnston, and we have been privileged to hear him play with the Orchestra before in Highgate.   The conductor will be James Ham. 

Timings of the rehearsal and the concert can be found here:

Details of how to get to the Church and a map can be found here:   Vent Coffee at the side of the Church will be open until 3pm on Saturdays.   There are loos in the church.

Please do not forget our next sketching session on Tuesday June 30 in Finsbury Circus!  Details in previous post. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 30 June: Visit to Finsbury Circus Gardens, London EC2M 7DT

 On Tuesday 30 June we will make our first sketching visit to Finsbury Circus, IN THE CITY, (not Finsbury Park!) which has recently been restored as a public garden following many years as a building site for an access shaft to the Elizabeth Line.  Happily the large old trees were kept, including a Japanese Pagoda Tree which we may or may not be able to identify.    The garden has been carefully replanted, and there is a bandstand and one or two other small buildings.  The crescent surrounding the garden is very handsome, and some of these have some statuary.   Hopefully the garden will be looking gorgeous in June.   Two  images below, taken late last summer.

More details and images can be found here:

We will meet at 11 o'clock around the little structure above.   The garden is not very big, so it will be easy to find people.

Finsbury Circus is about two minutes' walk from Moorgate tube station and Liverpool Street Station.  There is apparently planting  in the passage linking Moorgate to the garden.   Please see map below:

Many buses will pass close by. 

There is quite a lot of shade, we will have to take a chance on any heatwave, and also a tube strike.   Neither of these are currently planned or predicted yet.  However, it looks like being a hot summer.   We think that the nearest loos are in Liverpool Street Station.   We also think that a picnic lunch together would be enjoyable, so please bring something to eat.   Also lots of drinking water.  Coffees and teas can be bought at Liverpool Street Station.   We suggest you bring stools as the seats will fill up with city workers, also sunshades. 

Sue's telephone number for the day will be 07975 864142.
 

 

 

 

   

 

Art in the Park:  National Portrait Gallery, 19 May 2026

The day was dull and grey when we met by Sir Henry Irving’s statue outside the National Portrait Gallery. Some artists were optimistic and prepared to site their stools in puddles. Others went inside to the Gallery. In fact the morning turned out to offer a lovely, sunny Spring start to the day, with showers only in the afternoon.

The NPG was busy but not too crowded. The revised hang means that there are now unexpected treats.

A few artists went to Chinatown for lunch to sample noodles.

The images reflect these two very different settings. Street views around the location and versions of portraits – some experimental – drawn from inside the gallery.

 

Janet Payne
Ruijun Hu	Gill Steiner
Priscilla Worley
Chris Baker	Maggie Pettigrew
Tricia Sharpe
Maureen Bocking	Maureen Bocking
Maureen Bocking
Maggie Pettigrew	Tricia Sharpe
Diane Umemoto
Sue Lees
Do Burgess	Cathy Burkinshaw
Diana Butement
Priscilla Worley	Cathy Burkinshaw