Day 2 in London - More Galleries and Art Shops

My second day in London started with a visit to the newly renovated National Portrait Gallery. I hadn't been in years and years so it was nice to go back. And to see some Sky Arts Portrait Artists' winners' works there. And because it is so close to the National Gallery I popped by there too. Although there is less "popping" in as it is a popular place and also one that learned the hard way to have security. It was too popular for me that day so I didn't stay long. I had important art shops to visit!

First up was a branch of Cass Arts right near NPG (and across from the Garrick Theatre where I would see the fabulous Nicola Walker the next night in Unicorn!). This is a chain that has branches across the country.

Next I took a walk along Cecil Street to window shop. There are a lot of bookstores/print shops/galleries/antique stores along this small street. It was leading me to...

Choosing Keeping! I've been looking forward to visiting this shop in person. My cousin had sent me some lovely sets of gansai watercolour and paper from this shop for my birthday a few years ago. I was back to pick up another set (all of my purchases will be revealed in another video). It is a lovely place even just to browse. It's too bad that the Wallace Seymour paints have to be purchased in sets as that didn't fit the budget or my small suitcase (and would've meant checking it). Choosing Keeping is mostly a stationery shop but they do have some hard to find art supplies like WS and exclusive gansai colours.

Last on the list for that day and nearby is London Graphic Centre. This has a great selection of all sorts of media that you could want (with a smaller stationery section so those lovers don't miss out!). I also got to test Caran d'Ache's latest Neoart pastels open stock so I couldn't resist picking up a few of my favourite colours that I use in their Luminance pencil range.

Thanks to a friend who recommended Dishoom for lunch where I had time to sketch. I also stopped for coffee in between galleries at St Martin-in-the-Fields Cafe in the Crypt and then Covent Garden for a hot chocolate at the end of the busy day. Both times gave me a chance to sketch as well. And that's what it was all about.

As always, be sure to check out my website. There are a load of things for fellow artists like colour charts that I swatch on this channel available for download as a pdf. There are art book reviews and instructions on how to make your own sketchbook (with video here on YouTube). I also have a list of art stores in different cities including my hometown of Toronto and these shops in London (with addresses). There are lists of artists who inspire me that you can find on Instagram or YouTube as well as others you’ll find in art history books. I also provide a list of art related podcasts and online courses. You can also see what I take when I'm urban sketching. And you can purchase handmade watercolour through my website! So much for you for all things art.

https://www.eileenreillyarts.com/

or follow me on Instagram @eileenreillyarts and @ot.to_watercolour

Shops:
https://www.cassart.co.uk/
https://choosingkeeping.com/
https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/

00:00 Gallery viewing
02:33 Cass Art
06:43 Choosing Keeping
10:27 London Graphic Centre