On Tuesday 27 October 14 sketchers arrived at the Henry VIII Arch in West Smithfield. We were incredibly lucky with the weather, the storm and greyness had just passed over and we were blessed with golden October sunshine. West Smithfield offers a lot of different subjects for the artist, including little garden corners, and statues, but no one attempted King Henry VIII himself! We didn't need to seek cover, so people spread out, along the lane to the side of St Bartholemew the Great, into the wonderful courtyard of St Bart's Hospital, and into the Rotunda Garden. There some of us sketched the dramatic statue, who turns out to be "Peace" by John Birnie Philip, installed in 1873, view of St Paul's in the background. In this somewhat secluded garden it was good to have companions in art. The spectacular fountain in the Bart's Courtyard also caught several people's eye, a complex drawing challenge. Some of us also seized the opportunity and went and saw the famous Hogarth Staircase in the hospital. We had a relaxed lunch in 21 West, where we were able to spread out our artwork undisturbed.
The area will become busier when the Museum of London opens shortly, but is somewhere to revisit..
Our next day out will be Tuesday November 24th, when we will go to St Pancras Station, details to follow.
Meanwhile, enjoy looking at our images below.
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Image above by Ann Funston    |
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| Three images above by Priscilla Worley |
Image above by Gill Steiner
Image above by Dan Kriven
Image above by Tricia Sharpe
Image above by Janet Payne
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Image above by Michael Hill  Image above by Peter Colley  Image above by Diana Butement  |
