Had the chance to zip off at lunchtime to do another church and took it slightly hesitantly. No problems though.
Went looking for St James, found it down a narrow street south east of St Pauls. It's one of the old river bank churches in the maze of medieval lanes that led down to the wharves and jetties along the Thames. The garlic that was unloaded here came in with wine from France and St. James is the Vintners Guild church.
Not my favourite Wren church, it sits awkwardly alongside Upper Thames Street, which was driven through the buildings which used to huddle up to St. James. The south wall of the church was shared with other buildings but is now exposed, with a set of mock windows that match those of the north side.
This church was built tall and its large windows led to it being called 'Wren's lantern' The spire was added to the tower by Hawksmoor 30 years after the church was re-opened.
The Luftwaffe's contribution to the story of St. James was to drop a 500lb HE bomb through the roof, which buried itself under the nave. Luckily it didn't explode, or I would have being drawing somewhere else today.
Apparently, St James suffered a bizarre accident in 1991 when a crane fell across the road to demolish the centre of the South front. Luckily, it was possible to repair the damage.
The new road meant that I could get a great view from a coffee shop (probably built in 1991!). So I sat in air-conditioned comfort with the pad on a table. Luxury.
I used the same nib as last time and went for the thick wobbly line that worked so well. I drew the steel and glass wall of the coffee shop, and didn't even think about drawing traffic or people.
Visited by two of the local alkies who, after giving me the thumbs up through the window, came in to discuss art. They professed themselves stunned by the brilliance of the drawing and after I wished them a good day they replied they certainly would, having seen such a great drawing.
Cafe staff left me alone. My only regret - didn't have any cash and the cafe didn't take cards, so couldn't buy a coffee.
Two and a quarter hours total.
Map
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