LDNER #165 ROBIN MACKNEY

londoner robin

Photo by Alistair Nicol.

This weeks LDNER is recognised for his freehand cityscapes, with his latest collection North & South contrasting the infamous buildings and skylines of Edinburgh and London. Meet illustrator Robin Mackney…

Tell us where you live in London and what you love about that area?

My Studio’s in Hackney. The home of all struggling artists. I love east London. I have the fixie but lack the facial hair. The area comes alive at the weekend. Strolling through Broadway market finding necessities you never knew you needed to drinks at the dove. The walk is always rewarding and inspiring. There’s so many architectually stunning new build homes amongst the traditional period architecture. Not to mention the endless amounts of street art and pubs. It’s a city within a city.

How did you first become interested in illustration?

I stumbled across it. I loved art but was terrible at it. It was a chance encounter when on an art school trip to the National Gallery. Stepped away from the group and started drawing the gallery itself rather than pursuing the art inside. Ever since then I’ve carried a sketch book with me everywhere.

LDNER ROBIN m

Photo by Alistair Nicol.

What are you working on or having coming up for the rest of 2016?

I’ve just been commissioned by Ruffians Barbers to host my first solo exhibition. The aesthetic of the store has been the perfect exhibition space. Not to mention they do a cracking haircut! The exhibition brings together both the Barbers founding city of Edinburgh and their new venture in London.

Where in London inspire or influence what you do?

The extremely knew and the extremely old. Sitting in somewhere like Sketch or Mondrain amongst really intelligent and cutting edge interiors or discovering that old tailor on St James street or a pop up in a redundant space. Sitting amongst quiet crowds and drawing the architecture that is literally ALL AROUND you. No one looks up past shop fronts anymore. The fascades of London have definitely been an influence of late.

LDNER ROBIN

Photo by Alistair Nicol.

What would you perfect day in London entail?

Breakfast. The only city in the world to do it properly. Coffee to get me up and then a cuppa with a full english. Definitely freshly squeezed orange juice too. Is this is a food blog? Caravan at Farringdon for this. I try to walk London a lot. Southbank, The Tate and for some reason I am drawn (no pun intended) to St Pauls. it’s an addiction. Still need to go to the top. Lunch at Monocle Cafe and then back out sketching. Anywhere sat amongst crowds watching how people use the space around them or getting up high like the sky Garden. Sketchbook away and cocktails at the Hoxton or Dandelion…more views of St Pauls!

www.rewm.co.uk

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