Was that really us? So crowded together, without a thought in the world for masks and germs and social distancing? It seems like another era, and I guess it was. I did this drawing in 2017 when I was in London, singing with a choir for a week at St Paul's Cathedral. Between rehearsals and services, I had plenty of time to wander around with my sketchbook. Covent Garden was nearby so it was an easy draw (ha! - both sense of the word). I remember clearly being overwhelmed by the crowds, but accepting the crush of humanity as part of the experience of one of London's great gathering spots.
This complex scene took quite a while to complete. I'm not showing in progress stages this time, just some details of the finished work. My focus, once I had the structure of the central space and flanking structures, was the crowds, in much the same way one arrives at a new and interesting location: 'Where am I? Who else is here?" The cavernous heart of the scene is full of shops and vendor carts - I suggested this commerce with a few lights and a sense of depth, while stressing the stream of people hurrying in to shop and browse.
The upper level at the right is - or was - a common sight - lots of happy folks jammed together, meeting, celebrating, chatting over drinks - in this case, of course, some good British beer. The weather is fine, the workday is over, time to kick back and relax.
,The big crowd at the lower edge is the heart of this scene. I've always marveled at the random dispersal of colors in a crowd - other than school groups with matching tshirts, there seems to be a law of physics that ensures a pleasing range of warms, cools, lights, darks, including, especially in a world wise city like London, skin tones and dress choices as well as colors. Look closely - in my scene you'll find humanity in many forms: families, children of all ages, leisurely wanderers, senior citizens, people helping people, lovers, business people, even a nun! Everybody has a story. We may have had to keep ours a bit more to ourselves this past year, but we're all still part of the big picture.
Do you miss crowds? Have you been to Covent Garden?
Tell me your thoughts!
Click here to find London Covent Garden for purchase as a fine art print in 2 sizes
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