​Well bless ‘em - The Artful Dodgers after a week of email discussion on changing to elsewhere finally decided to stay with their scheduled return visit to the stunningly fine not to say grand Coronation Hall in Surbiton.  I had not been there before and was disappointed at that since if the Pub didn’t please then the station - sublime art deco - would.
 
As it happens it was raining so the station was not an option.  But the Pub did not disappoint.  Fantastic and a paintable view in every direction - except from the balcony which puts the eye too close to the splendid arched ceiling.
 
With six other levels or areas I was spoilt for choice but chose the back wall with library shelves, framed tapestry, fireplace and people (good for another practice) although I had to have two attempts at the perspective.  I must remember to stop, look and work at the basics more slowly.  Every sortie is a learning exercise.
 
I moved a few parts to make the composition work…..but then C R Mackintosh did so in his watercolours (Monsieur Mackintosh…the travels of CRMc in the Pyrénées Orientales 1923 – 1927) moving half a town or a huge outcrop of rocks to boost the result.  As did most if not all of the greats...
 
After an hour and a half on that and the group – seven of us – not having finished I looked the other way for a half hour quickie of the bar.  All mirrors, barrels bottles, hand pumps, more people, cinema equipment and believe it or not the Statue of Liberty.  There is a history to this place which Weatherspoons have respected - or played upon to their advantage. 
 
Good morning out.  Needs more contrast and a bit ‘blotchy’ in places.  Must go back and attempt that station...

Last time I joined with Urban Sketchers was February at The British Museum…..so the call of a fantastic location with them at Borough Market was irresistible even though I would not be able to stay for the full day.  I went early to save time wandering and wondering what to work at and found two good locations.  One giving a wide, panoramic view the other more vertical from a wine bar.
 
With just two hours – well 3 for me – there was little time for colour.  Concentrate on the drawing.
 
The panorama worked well and being earlier was less crowded so I was able to grab more of the furniture, or stalls albeit having to draw one while vacant then swop about as the crowd oscillated through.  Interesting signs: Wild Highland Venison and Bomba Paella on the one stall, Chocolate Wine on another.
 
Then I tried the almost Piranesi more lofty structure view from a wine bar.  A rather young but light and enjoyable 2014 Sicilian red added to the character of the lines.  Will try that more.
 
I retired into the bar itself to find a ledge to put my paints and pallet on, then realised wine bar light affects the colours … so happy to dabble, sip and chat to Gerard from Ireland knowing that I would work them up later at home.
 
Urban Sketchers seem on the face of their words (a Manifesto no less) to prohibit working on sketches later so I asked.  Especially as Turner regularly ‘sketched then returned to his hotel room to paint on them’.  But quite rightly their purpose is to generate drawing from the reality and certainly not from photographs – something which I have written about herein before….
 
Enough of that here are the results.  A phone camera photo of before and after and scans of after which seem to work better.