More from Hampstead Heath

 There are some late arrivals from our outing to Hampstead Heath, but worth well waiting for:

   Lindsay Topping

   Alison Sandifer

Hampstead Heath in September

In spite of the forecast for rain groups of 9 artists met outside the Italian cafe at the bottom of Parliament Hill, in socially distanced groups. Some of us made for the model boat pond whilst others concentrated on the complex geometry of the band stand.

The heavens didn't open until lunchtime when we were able to sit under the awnings of the cafe and under the bandstand roof. This latter location was populated by teenagers from the local schools, playing music and lending a festival atmosphere to the day.

Artists worked hard and enjoyed the day, in spite of the later wet weather.

The Heath is getting ready for the autumn with trees about to shed their leaves and turn colour. It afforded a good choice of outdoor scenes with landscape, people and some buildings.

Some more artists worked from home on the layered theme of history, including one from Priscilla Worley of a house in Hackney on the market for £4 million.

If any more participants want to send pics in, please email them to janetat48ock@hotmail.com

Watch this space for details of the October outing. 

From Tricia Sharpe

Overpainted photos of stained glass panels in front doors in Palmers Green

From Sue Lees.

The Men's Pond, Hampstead Heath

From Sara Meidan

Local Buildings

From Priscilla Worley

The Folly of the Vanities

From Janet Payne

Early autumn on the Heath

From Gill Steiner

Boys and Dogs

From Ann Kozlowski-Hunt

The bandstand

From Heather James

Hampstead Pond

From Diane Umemoto

The bandstand

Wednesday 23 September: Alternative plan in event of bad weather, or if people prefer to stay at home

 For an alternative to our planned day out at Parliament Hill, in case of either bad weather or for those who do not wish to travel, once again we have turned to the  London Urban Sketchers for inspiration. 

We thought that their latest idea sounded rather good.   The idea is to delve into the history of your local area, and produce an image (or something 3d!) which reflects some aspect of its past times and change.  This may be a series of images on one page, possibly including collage.

For a fuller (and better) explanation of this project, please go to the Urban Sketchers themselves, here:  http://urbansketchers-london.blogspot.com/2020/09/sketch-history-which-surrounds-us.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UrbanSketchersLondon+%28Urban+Sketchers+London%29

 Please send your images to Susan@lees.org.uk

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 23 September: Parliament Hill: Arrangements update in view of latest Covid regulations

The government has just announced that people cannot meet in groups of more than 6 individuals. In view of this, we are going to have to be very careful to keep our sketching group in pods of 6 or less. Please would everyone go off and start painting as soon as they have reached the meeting point and made themselves known distantly to either Sue or Janet.

The cafe has trestle tables, and from the point of view of Covid safety, we should limit ourselves to four people per table, take two or more tables if necessary, or otherwise, especially if the cafe seating is crowded, bring or buy sandwiches and eat at a distance sitting on sketching stools, well distanced, in groups of max 6. 

We won't be able to have an extensive showing of everybody's work, and some people will probably not have their work photographed. In which case, please email your images to either Sue or Janet.

Looking forward to a pleasant and successful sketching day on Wednesday, despite the new rules and being extra careful. We will be sending out some thoughts for Plan B for those who would prefer to stay at home shortly.

Parliament Hill Wednesday 23 September

 Our next outing is to Parliament Hill, on the edge of Hampstead Heath. 

This will be on WEDNESDAY 23 September, a departure from our usual date but we intend to Tuesdays next time.

Meet by the Italian run cafe near the bandstand at 11 am, and again at 1 pm for lunch, or of course bring sandwiches. 

There are ponds nearby and of course the glorious view from the top of Parliament Hill.

The loos are now open after refurbishment. The overground stops at Gospel Oak. The 214 bus runs up Highgate Road and Highgate West Hill.

Your organisers are trying to come up with socially distanced venues for the autumn and winter months. Preferably somewhere that it is possible to get to without using the tube. All suggestions considered. Autumn could be a covered venue but January and February should really be indoors with social distancing.

A stay at home option for those not able to attend will follow

Tuesday 25 August 2020: Visit to Clissold Park

Tuesday 25 August: Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, London N16 9HJ

WEATHER UPDATE

The weather forecast for tomorrow refers to heavy rain and wind.   Dismal.  However, this may not happen (we have had recent experiences of anticipated rain not happening), and there are various sheltered spaces around Clissold House that we could use if necessary - the portico, under the portico and a verandah to one side.  The big church opposite is likely to be open, so we could go in there, and there are any number of cafes in church street.   We think the Old Church has a porch.  Alternatively, bring your sketching stool, an umbrella, and such art materials as are useable in the damp (watercolours are not good, as they won't dry), so watercolour pencils, pens, pastels.   Janet and Sue are going to give it a go unless it is pouring first thing.

If you think it is going to be too wet, then you may like to create some artwork with a bad weather theme at home.

                                                             ---oooOOOooo---

We have decided to return to Clissold Park for our August sketch date as our earlier plan to go to Hampstead Heath has been frustrated by the loos not being open as they are waiting for new parts. Clissold Park is relatively central for our spread-out participants, and well connected with bus services, if people feel like using them.  Parking controls are in force on the Hackney sides of Clissold Park, so no chance of parking there, but Islington residents may find a place on the Islington side of Green Lanes under the Roamer scheme.   Partners can always be asked for lifts!

There are loos (open), and the cafe in Clissold House is operating a take-out service (no indoor access).   We will be maintaining our social distancing policy.

We have not been there for a few years, and as well as Clissold House, there is the Old Stoke Newington Church, the canal, two lakes, the gardens, looking good at present, and there will be people sitting about for those who wish to do figures.  Also some deer in an enclosure. Stoke Newington Church Street is close by with sandwich shops as well as offering street scenes.    Hopefully it will be sunny without being unbearably hot.

It is an opportunity to produce some work which will have local interest when the Islington Art Society holds its next exhibition in the Stoke Newington Library Gallery close by. 

Our meeting place will be outside the front of Clissold House at the base of the steps, at 11 o'clock.   We suggest you bring sketching stools.  We hope for a good day's sketching, and Sue's telephone number for the day is 07975 864142.