Art and About: Clerkenwell and St Johns Cloister Gardens, Walk and Draw

We’ll begin the day sketching in the serene St John's Cloister Garden, an ancient walled sanctuary tucked away in bustling Clerkenwell. Bursting with seasonal flowers and aromatic herbs, the garden offers a variety of peaceful corners ideal for drawing. Whether you're inspired by architectural details or prefer focusing on potted trees and foliage, this setting provides rich opportunities to build confidence in watercolour techniques—particularly when painting plants and natural forms.

Later, we’ll take a short walk to a nearby church, passing through characterful streets, historic pubs, and narrow walkways. Along the way, we’ll explore how to sketch buildings in perspective and understand proportion in relation to surrounding shapes.

Meeting Point: Entrance to St John's Cloister Garden, St John's Square. Toilets are available on site.

What to Bring:

Clothing:

- Dress in layers to accommodate unpredictable weather.

- Sunglasses or a hat are recommended in sunny conditions.

Sketchbooks & Paper:

- A4 and A5 sketchbooks

- 300gsm (140lb) watercolour paper

Drawing Materials:

- Black fine-liner pen (e.g. Sharpie) for initial sketches and textures

- Pencils, felt-tip pens, and ink pens

- Painting Materials (choose your preferred medium):

- Watercolour pan sets

- Watercolour pencils

- A small piece of wax for wax-resist techniques

Extras:

- Water container and brushes

- Kitchen towel and bulldog clips (to secure paper in the wind)

- Folding stool or plastic bag for sitting on