London in Landscape Volumes I & II
REPRINT OUT NOW!-
Above is the new front cover to the second edition of London in Landscape volume I, which has finally arrived! My London in Landscape sketchbook was first published in October 2006. That cover is shown below. London in Landscape has been a real labour of love for me – I’ve been out in all weathers to capture some of the different and diverse spaces and places of this magic metropolis. From Bow Street to China Town, Buckingham Palace to Smithfield Market – I’ve been out there drawing with my biro and A5 landscape sketchbook (hence the title of the book). The book, and paintings from the book, were launched at exhibitions in London. One painting is now in the Royal Collection, having been presented to the Queen, a few others are travelling the World on the new Cunard cruise liner the Queen Victoria, whilst others have found happy homes around the country!
'London in Landscape' is published by Methuen and is available from all good bookshops, Methuen,and also Amazon Books. You can also buy a signed copy from me, please go to the buying my work pages.
Below are some of my sketches from London in Landscape Volume I.
Piccadilly Circus © Karen Neale
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The Arsenal © Karen Neale
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China Town © Karen Neale
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Frith Street, Soho © Karen Neale
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View from the Top of Monument © Karen Neale
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No 38: Routemaster Bus © Karen Neale
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London in Landscape Volume II - published sketchbook
© Karen Neale
Volume one of London in Landscape was published in October 2006. Volume II came out in 2009. As is often the case, through my sketchbook paintings and now the published book, I have met many people from all walks of life whose enthusiasm and support for my sketchbooks inspires and directs me to new ‘discoveries’.
The View from the top of Millbank Tower © Karen Neale
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So I’ve been back out walking through the city streets and spaces in my trusty Dr. Martens. Walking is always good for both body and soul. Not only does it help to burn up chocolate cake calories it can also clear clouded minds. Although a few of the sketches in this book are specific suggestions from people, many are quite randomly spotted whilst wandering to wherever.
Paternoster Square© Karen Neale
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Once I have picked my ‘landscape’ I stand, or if I’m very lucky sit, and I just sketch the world around me. When I begin to sketch, I am soon completely focused and absorbed in my surroundings. The concentration and awareness that the ‘drawing department’ of my brain demands to do this, crowds out any current worries.
This results in a sense of calmness in which I am at once in the thick of things, and yet abstracted, as I communicate and commit to paper what I see, and equally important what I feel at this time. The whole experience is most therapeutic.
Overlooking London from the Royal Observatory at Greenwich© Karen Neale
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Those paying close attention will have noticed that this sketchbook has also travelled to Havana in Cuba to visit my husband’s family, and it would seem unkind to leave these two pages out of my sketchbook diary. So here they are and the ‘Capitolio’ does a great impression of St. Paul’s!
Havana Cuba © Karen Neale
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There are of course many more landscapes of London to sketch and many areas yet to be ‘discovered’. There are many possibilities for a third volume of other city scenes. The list is endless and growing by the day. But for now, this book is published at a time of many uncertainties and I hope that the calm comfort I’ve enjoyed in its creation will pervade through its pages to all readers.
Farringdon Tube Station © Karen Neale
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Copyright: © Karen Neale Art
