My Top Ten places to sketch during the cold winter

1. LibrariesUsually interesting buildings with the added advantage of people

keeping quite still, libraries can be good places to do some sketching. This drawing was made a the French Institute in South Kensington,

London.

2. Cafes and restaurantsAlways good to sketch at but particularly good in the cold weather!

3. MuseumsFull of interesting exhibits and people, museums can be fruitful places for

drawing. This sketch was made at the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, London.

4. Art GalleriesAs interesting for the people as for the artwork on display. This sketchbook drawing

was made at the Tate Modern, London.

5. Shops and shopping centresBoth great for people watching and sketching, this drawing was made

from the café area of one of the Tesco Superstores.

6. Ice rinksIf you can brave the cold then the many ice rinks that spring up at this time of year are

great places to capture some sketches. Thermals recommended.

7. TheatresIf you have the opportunity, theatres can be lovely places to draw. I made this sketch

during the interval at a performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.

8. Foyers and hallwaysEven if you can’t get tickets for the theatre, many venues have cafes

and places to sit in the foyers that can be interesting to sketch. This is the foyer of the Fairfield Halls in Croydon.

9. Train stationsThey can be a bit draughty but at least it is dry and there will always be lots of people to sketch. I

recommend somewhere near the departure board as often travellers will stay there for a short while, so you can add them to your picture. This one was made at London’s Victoria Station.

10. Through windowsLife from a window can always make a good composition but when it is

nippy outside doing some drawing by the warmth of a radiator will always go down well. It was a particularly chilly day when I drew this scene from

our back window.

All images copyright Lis Watkins 2013

To see more examples of Lis’s work, visit www.lineandwash.blogspot.co.uk