Drawing the City: Panoramas and Skylines

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This course will use the dynamic and creative approach of drawing, to explore the character and variety of the city by making the artist the viewpoint; reinterpreting the historical idea of a panorama. Over several days we aim to visit different locations to build up a bigger understanding of both the place and the wider subject of townscape drawing. Panoramas of London in the past took a high viewpoint and stitched together a series of city views such as Hollar’s work made from Southwark Cathedral or Girtin’s from Blackfriars’s Bridge, often depicting historical events such as battles. We will take a contemporary approach building up a panoramic view of our vibrant city from areas such as the Natural History Museum, South Bank, Greenwich, to Somerset House. By drawing skylines, panoramas of large interiors, and views from Thames walks, students will gain strategies to achieve inventive and interesting drawings, building a wider experience of London. By the end of the course, we hope to have instilled the confidence and skills for students to continue drawing out and about in the city.

Please note that there are no classes on 5 May and 26 May as these are Bank holidays.

Featured image by Chris Green