On Wednesday 15th February eight members of The Chelsea Society were privileged to sketch a live model with professional help, at the London Sketch Club 17 Dilke Street, Chelsea – one of the last working art studios in Chelsea. We had very different skill-levels, but it was a fun evening and we all learned whether we had the potential to become good artists.
Every Friday evening from October to May the members get together in their studio cum-clubhouse cum-dining room and they draw and paint for two hours. The works are then pinned on the walls and a lively discussion ensues over bread, cheese and ample supplies of wine and beer. Over many years the social life of the Club was enlivened by Charlie Chaplin, Stanley Holloway, Victor MaClure, Cyril Fletcher, Philip Harben, Max Jaffa, and many others, who were delighted to be associated with the Club. Going into the Sketch Club is like entering a time-warp. It remains one of London’s best kept secrets and forms a link with the artists, illustrators and writers of a century ago.
