Everything’s gone green: Urban sketching in the age of COVID-19

[By Lis Watkins in London] I’ve
been drawn to nature since March, when COVID 19 took hold in the UK. Firstly I
drew plants in my back garden, then as the lockdown eased, I hesitantly moved
to local parks and gardens. Then as rules changed again, slightly further afield
to other places in South East London. We are very lucky to have so many lovely
public green spaces in the capital. Here are some sketchbook spreads from the
last few months.

I think it would be fair to say that things haven’t gone well in
the UK and drawing has been a way for me to zone out from the noise of news and
politics. It’s not that I don’t care what is going on but so much seems beyond
my control that I find sitting down and drawing in my sketchbook helps with
feelings of sadness and overwhelm.

It seems hard to believe that time last year I was in Amsterdam
for the Symposium, mixing with people from all over the world, sharing our joy
of urban sketching. So many happy memories! Let’s hope we will all be able to
draw together again soon.