Nag’s Head | Drawing the Street

Now my story begins — Stoke Station. Are you sitting comfortably?

Getting back in the groove can be an effort, but it’s always helped by a brew. It’s been a while since I wrote here but it’s time to return to the sketch book. I have had 10th October 2015 in the diary for some time as it is the first #ArchitectureDrawingDay, set up by the RIBA as part of The Big Draw.

This year’s theme for the Big Draw is ‘Every Picture Tells a Story’. I packed my pencil case and took off to London to draw a few more sights on the Holloway Road, the old A1, that Great North Road.

No better sight at Euston, than the 253 which heads out to Nags Head:

pen and ink drawing of 253 bus — Hop on the 253 bus at Euston Station

pen and ink sketches — Quick wobbly thumbnail bus stop sketches from the top of the No 253 to Hackney Central

pen and ink drawing London — A window, a carved flower on a stone detail

sketches form the bus — More bites of bus stops

Hopped off the bus at the Nag’s Head and found a bench free opposite this lovely frontage. The sun was out, so I pitched up to draw.

Boots Chemist Holloway road — 414 Holloway Road, the building above Boots the Chemist

A few hours later, I made my way down the road for a bite to eat where I could continue drawing outside but under awnings. Had a tasty lunch at Constolia – and drew this domed character opposite. I have no idea about its history – have you? I would love to hear from you if you can shed some light on the building.

Festac nightclub and Holloway Mosque sit below this red brick and stone building – for an intriguing insight into this hot-spot corner of the Holloway Road, have a read of Islington Now .

Then, only a few hours later and it’s time to go home. This time back on the number 29 bus.

pub man chatting — Cahtting man having a cigarette outside a pub in Camden

Thats all for now. I will say goodbye with the back of a very fine London bus.

Been such a tonic to spend the day with #ArchitectureDrawingDay.

Thanks for reading

Ronnie

Pen and ink sketch of London Chimney pots — Chimney pots from the 253 Euston bus to Nag’s Head, Holloway

Over the summer, I spent some time down in London, with our son. I was in the middle of Sketch Book Skool drawing frenzy, making the most of every moment I could to draw – even on the top of a London bus!

Pen and ink sketches of London windows from the bus — Windows from the 253 bus from Euston to Nags Head

Once you start sketching, you can’t help but notice how much more you want to draw and it was during this time that I made the rash promise to myself that I would draw the Holloway Road.

After a few months preparation I have begun to work on the first of what I hope will be many more drawings, but thought you would like a flavour of what’s to come with some of my summer sketches.

Thanks for reading!

Ronnie

Pen and ink sketch of Croissant D'Or Holloway Road — Le Croissant D’Or, Holloway Road, London – a great place for breakfast!

Sketch of the windows on Albermarle Mansions — Windows on Albermarle Mansions, Holloway Road.

Pencil and watercolour wash drawing of a window on Albermarle Mansions — Detail of Window on Albermarle Mansions

Pencil and watercolour drawing Albermarle Mansions Holloway Road London — Detail of another window on Albermarle Mansions, Holloway Road, London

Pen and ink drawing of Windsor Road London N7 — View from top flat, WIndsor Road, Holloway, London

drawing out the best in our streets

Drawing the Street

Tag Archives: Nag’s Head

Every Picture Tells a (short) Story

Sketches from a London Bus

drawing out the best in our streets