David Gentleman's London

by David Gentleman

Following the course of the Thames, David Gentleman's London explores this splendid city in delightful detail—the beauty of its buildings, its many parks, and the villages and towns that form the Capital's outer rim. The traditional sights of London—Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and St. Paul's—appear alongside many less familiar splendors, and often in powerful contrast to the new London that continues to develop around them.

To accompany his pen and watercolor drawings, the artist provides, as always, a lively and observant commentary. David Gentleman, who has lived and worked in London for 30 years, has memorably captured the city's blend of idiosyncratic detail and grand, monumental statement.

Genres: Travel, Art, Nonfiction, London

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 1986

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

After recently reading the book on Gentleman’s art and design, had a browse on Abebooks to see what was available and scored this hardback thick tome for about the price of a latte. Yes I love his style, but what makes this even more interesting is that all the illustrations were done in early to mid 1980s, so it’s a real time capsule of London at a time of transition. The east end and dock lands still relatively undeveloped, Lloyds building not yet completed, Notting Hill still an area of diversity, carnival and wastelands under the west way.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

have 2

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Beautiful drawings and lovely writing, as well. Made me nostalgic for London.

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures on my blog)

This remarkable sketchbook that was first published in 1985, and the reprinted edition was published in 2010. The artist David Gentleman has lived and worked in London for 50 years.

In the foreword he didn't update the text as the book still "remains a broadly accurate evocation of the city as it really is". So the content should be the same, except for the change to hardcover.

David Gentleman's style has an old school charm that comes with the loose line art and watercolour gives. The sketches are detailed and nicely composed.

It's interesting to see how his impressions differ from the two other London sketchbooks I have, namely London Sketchbook: A Pictorial Celebration by Jim Watson and London Sketchbook: A City Observed by Graham Byfield.

This is also one of the thickest sketchbooks I've seen at 192 pages. Here's the list of contents:

The River
The City and the East End
Westminster and St Jame's
The Parks
The West End
Villages and Suburbs

That's a lot of places covered, including the less touristy areas. Besides location sketches, I also like the small sketches on the people going about with their daily activities. It gives a brief but nice glimpse of life.

The commentary is extensive. His personal observations are a joy to read. He writes about what it is like there, what he thinks about the architecture and place, and also provides plenty of historical perspective.

It's a well deserved reprint. If you've been to London or living there, it could be a good book to get just to see how London has changed.

[Susan]

Beautiful watercolors of historic sights around London. The writing, as with most art books, isn't that great... but who buys these books for the writing?