Any urban sketcher knows that it’s almost impossible to walk past an art shop without looking inside and buying at least a new pencil. So, when I walked past Cowling and Wilcox, on Holloway Road a few years ago, I gave in to a new Daler Rowney sketch book, about A5 size.
I go to London regularly – partly family visits to our son and also to draw some of my Great North Road street drawing series, Holloway Road.
Photo outside Cowling and Wilcox thanks to @seanazzillustration
This ancient route has shown up at key points in my life: at school in York, going to University in Edinburgh and now as our son has made his home beside it. I’ve made a start drawing chunks of the buildings along the Holloway Road and the photo above is on one of the sunnier days sketching out Denmark Place preparing for the formal architectural drawing. It’s only when you stop to draw that you notice things like date stones way up the top.
Denmark Place Built 1863
Back to the sketch book. I decided to keep this one just for sketching during my London visits. Three years later, it’s full!
Page One dedicated to the Holloway Road
I’d like to share some of the content from time to time. All the sketches are made on location and most sketched in about five minutes. Less than minutes for my wobbly sketches from the top of a bus!
It’s easy enough to spot the ones made in the time taken to enjoy a brew in a cafe.
Window on the Odeon Cinema, Holloway Road
Windows on Albermarle Mansions
Detail of a door on Albermarle Mansions
Odeon from La Scelta Cafe Holloway Road
View from the Golden Croissant
The Eaglet on Seven Sisters Road
Limited edition print of drawing of 81 -129 Holloway Road
More sketches of Holloway Road to follow soon, but if you are in Highbury, pop in to The Only Place For Pictures and see a few more London streets.
Thanks for reading,
Ronnie