Tuesday 23 February 2016

Return to Silvertown

London's Urban Sketchers had their second visit to Silvertown, a 62-acre (25 hectare) development site in the East End that we have been invited to record as it gradually turns into the reality of the planners' vision. In the heart of London's old Royal Dockyard, and throbbing in the heyday of the British Empire, Silvertown began its decline in the 1960s, and is now a huge, barren wasteland next to City Airport that promises 3,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs in the years to come.

Nick Richards, Silo D, Silvertown

A few monumental buildings, such as Millennium Mills and Silo D, survive among the rubble, and will be restored. On our last visit, Millennium Mills was out of bounds because asbestos removal was underway. This time we were allowed inside, travelling up in the hoist, walking through its vast empty structure, and then out on to the 11th-floor roof overlooking the city.

Isabel Carmona, Millennium Mills (left) and Silo D (centre)

From the blustery rooftop, there were great view across towards the towers of the financial district, the Thames Barrier, the O2 Arena, City Airport, and the unspectacular conurbation of the East End stretching out to the horizon. In the wasteland below, the flashing lights of police cars and a burning vehicle were surrounded by a camera crew – one of many film units attracted to the gritty city feel of Silvertown.

Simon Privett, from the roof of Millennium Mills, looking west

Adebanji Alade, Millennium Dome from Millennium Mills

Simone Menken, looking west from the rooftop

James Hobbs, looking north from the roof of Millennium Mills

The giant mural on the side of Millennium Mills was created in 2012 by Shepard Fairey, the designer of the Barack Obama Hope poster.

Daniel Lloyd-Morgan, Attention Graffiti

 
Jo Dungey, Millennium Mills

The next 10 to 15 years will see this area change beyond recognition. There is a residential community close to the entrance to the site, but it is currently a quiet area – apart from the planes from the airport and construction traffic. Since our last visit in May last year (read about it here), there has been little outward change. The ground is cleared, and buildings rise in other sites around the periphery, but most of the action has still to arrive in Silvertown.


On the roof of Millennium Mills, from the left: Adebanji Alade, James Hobbs, Jo Dungey, Isabel Carmona, Simon Privett, Simone Menken, Nick Richards and Daniel Lloyd-Morgan.

The site is closed for visits now, but we're planning more in the future. Our thanks to the Silvertown Partnership for inviting us.




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Tuesday 16 February 2016

St Botolph without Aldersgate, Postman's Park


I've been itching to get out and draw something without freezing to the spot. On other attempts I've been thwarted by the trees, so today I gave up and let them in.
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Sunday 14 February 2016

Let's Draw the Wallace Collection 20 February 2016

Sketching in the Wallace Collection by Katherine Tyrrell
Next Saturday London Urban Sketchers will be visiting Manchester Square and the Wallace Collection.
  • Both are situated in Marylebone, just north of Oxford Street in the centre of London. 
  • Bond Street provides the nearest tube (Central and Jubilee Lines) and 
  • it's a short 6 minute walk via James Street or Duke Street to the Wallace Collection.
This is a summary of the visit - followed by a description of what we are visiting.
  • MAP: Map https://goo.gl/maps/Nxq6LAz8E232
  • START venue/time: 11:00 The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
    • wet - under the portico at the front door to Hertford House (see photo below)
    • dry - on the pavement to right of the Wallace Collection front door
  • LUNCH: 1:00pm - on the pavement to right of the Wallace Collection front door
  • FINISH: 3:30pm - on the pavement to right of the Wallace Collection front door
  • AFTERWARDS: The Wallace Collection Restaurant and Cafe - I can recommend the cream teas!
  • Travel: Tube Station - Bond Street Station 
  • Toilets: basement of the Wallace Collection (see plan below)
  • Websites:  http://www.wallacecollection.org and
There are no large areas in the Wallace Collection where we can congregate.
  • Ideally if the weather is dry we'll meet at the beginning, lunch and at the end of the day on the pavement to the right of the front entrance to the Wallace Collection
  • If the weather is wet we'll huddle under the entrance portico!
Entrance and front elevation of Hertford House
Home to the Wallace Collection

Manchester Square


Manchester Square in London
from Richard Horwoods map of London (1792-99)
Manchester Square is one of the one of the smaller but better preserved Georgian garden squares in central London.
  • The fourth Duke of Manchester, after whom the Square takes its name, obtained the ground lease from the Portman Estate for most of the north side and employed Robert Adam and others to build on the land. 
  • It was first laid out between 1776 and 1788. 
  • Lots of great Georgian architecture to sketch.

Hertford House - home of the Wallace Collection


The first house to be completed was Manchester House, in 1776. This is now known as Hertford House (Listed Grade II) see picture above

The Wallace Collection is housed in Hertford House - which is also worth sketching for those who like sketching the exteriors of buildings best
  • The House was the home of the Marquess of Hertford - the 2nd Marquess acquired the lease in 1797 and was lived in by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Marquess and the Richard Wallace the 4th Marquess's illegitimate son.
  • Hertford House is now home to the Hertford family’s fabulous collection of fine and decorative arts. It was left to the nation in 1897 by Lady Wallace.
  • It has since become known as the Wallace Collection.
The Collection and exhibition rooms are on three floors of Hertford House. This is the link to the Floor Plan. The collection comprises:
However one of the most attractive features of the Wallace Collection are views within the interior rooms.

Wallace Collection Floor Plan - Click the image to see a larger size

Afterwards, those of us who enjoy a cup of tea will hopefully be able to get one at the Cafe on the ground floor (the green section on the map). If you pipe up at the beginning if you are planning to stay on at the end I'll endeavour to book us a table.

Cream tea at the Wallace Collection by Katherine Tyrrell

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