https://www.sanmeigallery.co.uk/
I had made an appointment to go and take a walking tour from San Mei gallery, Vauxhall...towards Van Gogh's house...that is, where he used to lodge when he was living in London; the tour included seeing 'inside' of Van Gogh's house itself, as well; including all 3 floors.
https://vangoghhouse.co.uk/
My first big worry was I left home really 'late' for the 3 PM appointment...leaving somewhere around 2:40 PM...with not a lot of room being left to spare. Luckily, riding my bike, I arrived there just in time.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/
My second big worry was, I had booked on the tour a ticket costing £15.00 through eventbrite online web site...the cost of which was non-refundable...and, they had emailed me the ticket; however, I did not find enough time to go and print it out...as 'proof' that I did, in fact, buy a ticket. Luckily, for me, the tour guide didn't ask me to provide them with any proof that a ticket had been brought.
Thirdly, I had been fully expecting to see quite a sizeable group of people who were interested in both taking the walking tour/and, seeing inside of the house where Van Gogh used to live; but, much to my surprise...there was just 1 x blonde English girl who was the tour guide...and, I was the only other member of the group; in other words, nobody else brought tickets. She explained the situation to me...and, asked if I agreed to the situation...to which I replied, yes, no problem.
The tour guide told me that San Mei means 3 sisters...the title was given in regards to the chinese family who own the place...as they had 3 daughters, apparently, all are artists of one sort or another; I saw one -(didn't really get any opportunity to talk to them)- but, not the other two.
We walked from San Mei Gallery in Vauxhall...taking a number of back streets...finally leading through onto Brixton Road. Crossed over Brixton Road...walking down Hillyard Street towards 87 Hackford Road, Vauxhall...which is where Van Gogh used to live...; and, also, where they've now built a route called: Van Gogh Walk.
As we walked along -(I pulled my bike/out of courtesy, didn't bother riding it,anymore)- the tour guide explained to me...that these used to be poor people's streets/housing way back in Van Gogh's day. She also pointed out a house where a certain black lady had gotten shot in a police raid by accident...with no apologies from the police...until 3 years, later on; the which incident had led to riots. She mentioned something about, Charles Chaplin; who also grew up in Lambeth. She also stated that the house used to look slightly different from the 'original' layout...the houses to the right side of it...seem to have been taken down.
I locked up my bike...inside of Van Gogh's house...leaving it chained tightly against the buildings railings. Then, we entered...I was really surprised to see just how 'sparsely' furnished it all was...how low the ceilings were...and, noticed the wooden railings/steps/and, iron fire places. There were a number of display cabinets...which housed...documents that were found underneath the floorboards...stored there by previous tenants/owners. I also saw a 'framed' original Gustav Dore print; and, a Van Gogh 'painting' copy that somebody who had admired his work had done. However, I do not recall seeing any Van Gogh 'masterpiece' in the entire building taking up all of 3 floors; together with back garden view(I normally see the house only from the front/so, it was fascinating to me seeing the back view, too...basically, it just showed other neighbours gardens).
Some of the house had been modernised, especially, downstairs...; I suppose, this was done in order to cater for 'new' visitors/also, any resident art students....such as toilets/baths. They did show some 'original' artifacts...in regards to the toilet fittings...none of which did really interest me!
At the end of the tour, I was given a paper map....as a sort of keepsake momento:-
Quite politely, I thanked the guide; and, then, left...; telling her I'm now off to go visit Tate Britain Gallery before they close. I think, by then the time was, 4:30 PM, possibly.
The tour guide did inform me that there would be a FREE film show...tomorrow, Sunday, between 12-6 PM. I think, I might just turn up.
CONCLUSION
Did I actually think that buying the £15.00 ticket to do the walking tour/and, see inside of Van Gogh's house was worth it? Answer: no. I did not learn much during the walk(already knew Victorian times were poor)/nor see much inside of the house, neither(very sparsely furnished/looks petty much like inside of my own 3 storey house, actually; just lower ceilings)
However, judging it from the point of view...of somebody who has been a life long Van Gogh fan; and, watches every single movie/buys all his books/goes to his every exhibition/and, even copies his work, occasionally; then, in that sense it was well and truly worth it...in that I feel I'm a little bit closer to Van Gogh, now...than ever I was before...I mean, I actually saw inside the house he actually lived in for a short while; and, know a little bit more about his history.
REALLY HOT DAY/WENT AND BROUGHT SOME DRINKS INSIDE OF VAUXHALL SAINSBURY'S
Because it was a really hot day...due to a 'freak' heatwave in London...therefore, I went and brought 2 x large bottles of Lucozade costing £1.00 each...at Sainsbury's in Vauxhall...located at the opposite side of Vauxhall bridge...before crossing over into Pimlico.
I kept sipping at these drinks all day; and, really thanked my lucky stars that I had the good sense to go and buy them...otherwise, I'm sure, I would have felt totally 'dehydrated'.
VISITED TATE BRITAIN GALLERY
https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain
I arrived at Tate Britain gallery somewhere around 5 PM. Did some drawings there...using pencil/papers/boards/easels...which were all provided for FREE. Mostly, inventions...
Just before the gallery closed...I went downstairs...to go and visit seeing their 'latest' Van Gogh exhibition...; however, I was informed that the gallery was about to close in just 10 minutes time. So, I changed my mind about entering...and, instead, I just practised drawing a painting on the wall...right near the exit...attempting to get my proportions/shading right...had some great difficulty!
When Tate Britain had closed; I thought about attempting to draw the actual building itself...but, freaked out...thinking it about it far too much...when you can't get lines to line up straight with one another...then, dealing with any architecture is just way too complex!
I also thought about drawing 2 of the front outside sculptures; however, those entrances were blocked off...; and, due to my having 'short sight'...can't see too well from at a distance...I just gave up...and, moved off going away from Tate Britain.
QUICKLY, I TRIED DRAWING VAUXHALL BRIDGE
However, this time, all I did was stop at the bridge...to do a quick drawing of the River Thames; and, then, instead, of going over the bridge...; I moved across it...onto the other side of the road...and, off towards London's city centre...riding along Grovesnor Road...parallel to the River Thames.
DREW SLOANE SQUARE 'FEMALE NUDE' FOUNTAIN SCULPTURE
Eventually, I stopped my bike, at Sloane Square...where I practised drawing the 'female nude' fountain sculpture that I always love seeing.
VISITED KNIGHTSBRIDGE MCDONALDS
At Knightsbridge I went inside of McDonalds fast food restaurant...where I used my debit card to buy 1 large sized fries/chips.
EAT CHIPS/AND, DREW INSIDE OF THE PARK AT THE BACK OF HOLY TRINITY BROMPTON CHURCH
I left my bike having been chained up outside of McDonald's...then, walked across the road to go and visit seeing the back of Holy Brompton church......where i knew there is a sort of small park with wooden bench seats; there I went and ate my chips.
NOTE: This drawing wasn't meant to be a realistic sketch; instead, it was a very quickly 'hurried' sketch; -(meant as an exercise to allow one to conquer one's own fear of drawing/or, rather making any mistakes)-; where I just attempted to capture the main lines of the scene I saw before me...sticking things together in an over-lapping manner...as opposed to having any regards to the actual reality.
Afterwards, I stood up to do a few drawings:
1 x of the actual park itself...
Another of the back side Church / (which is entirely separate from Holy Trinity Brompton church located at the front)
...and, I also tried drawing a sculpture of a male saint feeding birds/squirrels. (One hand of the sculpture was missing...; so, I only drew the empty sleeve, alone)
VISITED HYDE PARK
With the light very quickly fading away...the last stop I made was to go and visit seeing Hyde Park...
...where I did 2 drawings...inside of the Rose Garden, I drew a Cupid style boy being seen holding onto a fishes top wing (fountain)/and, I also tried drawing a huge sculpture of a man wielding both a sword and shield.
RETURNED HOME CROSSING OVER ALBERT BRIDGE
I forget the exact name of the bridge I went and crossed...either Chelsea bridge/or, Albert bridge...but, going straight along Sloane Square...I crossed the bridge at the end of that road...then, rode across the road...I think, that's Queenstown Road...going to Streatham...Tooting Bec Gardens...along Wellfield Path...past St Julian's primary school; then, off home. I returned back home somewhere around 11 PM late evening.
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