My Town: An Artist’s Life in London

by David Gentleman

David Gentleman has lived in London for almost seventy years, most of it on the same street. This book is a record of a lifetime spent observing, drawing and getting to know the city, bringing together work from across his whole career, from his earliest sketches to watercolours painted just a few months ago.

Here is London as it was, and as it is today: the Thames, Hampstead Heath; the streets, canals, markets and people of his home of Camden Town; and at the heart of it all, his studio and the tools of his work. Accompanied by reflections on the process of drawing and personal thoughts on the ever-changing city, this is a celebration of London, and the joy of noticing, looking and capturing the world.

'David has spent a lifetime depicting with wit and affection a London he has made his own' Alan Bennett

'He delivers a poetry of exultant concentration ... The surface fusion of the sensuous and the sharply modern is echoed by Gentleman's imagery' Guardian

'The artist and illustrator has been responsible for some of the most-seen public artworks in this country' The Times

'Perhaps the last of the great polymath designer-painters' Camden New Journal

Genres: Art, London, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published March 5, 2020

Reviews

[Ieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me appreciate London again

[Beth Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully published book and covers decades of work made by David Gentleman. I wonder if this book could only have been written, and Gentleman's art could only be the way it is, because he loves London so much and has spent his whole life looking and observing the wonderful, colourful place it is.

I found reading the book quite moving, Gentleman's work has changed and developed over the years, but the subject of London seems to have been a constant source of interest to him. David Gentleman turned 90 years old this week and it was a beautiful experience to read through this book, look at the work he has made about the place he loves so much and reflect on a life well lived and what it means to make a life and build a home in one place.

[Chris Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite. Nearly seventy years of living in London has given David Gentleman insight and empathy. The illustrations are classy; fascinating, and all labelled with the date. Even the sketches speak to the reader. The annotations are interesting and compact, meaning I read every one. A book to become lost in. An hour can pass by totally unnoticed while enjoying this book. We were familiar with his postage stamp designs, but this book is a real discovery. We will certainly purchase other books illustrated by David Gentleman.

[Danielle McClellan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful look at London through the eyes of an illustrator. Gentleman's sketches and lithographs capture areas of London through the years. I particularly liked the section of drawings of his own studio. Great fun to look through, especially for this beginning sketcher.

[Danielle Beekman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely blown away by David Gentleman and “his” London. Inspiring and beautiful. Will be reading this one again and again.

[Gianluca Marcellino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travelling again to a city we know a bit, without moving from home. Fitting the times, delightful.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about how art breaths life into the urban. David Gentleman chronicles over fifty years of detailed attention to London; it’s parks, canals, squares, streets, birds, boats and everything else. Gentleman draws all the time and any subject. He has a sprightly attention and a lovely line that really bring the city to the fore. He draws everything - the rubbish, people, old and new. His comments are short and insightful. A great book to have.

[T P Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very nicely put together volume. The sketches and watercolours are super and illuminate the parts of London he describes. The little bit of accompanying text is greatly appreciated. However, it's very much a miscellany that's only very loosely organised. In a larger format, this might work as a catalogue of some of his work. However, at this scale, I was expecting more insight and possibly narrative. Ultimately, a frustrating book that's neither one thing nor the other.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful chronology of Gentleman’s life living and working in London. I enjoyed reading about and seeing his reflections on how the city has transformed and grown over 50+ years. The little anecdotes he shares about his drawing process, making mistakes, and his responses to change are great insights into how to truly see a city.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolute delight