Drawing of Maldon and its waterfront

Drawing of Maldon, Essex

My Drawing of Maldon and its waterfront

New year's day 2013 was a bright, clear, slightly chilly morning in Essex.

My wife and I decided to take a stroll from Heybridge into Maldon and along the promenade. Beauty was everywhere. Morris dancers dance and struck sticks outside the Queen's, the smell of chimneys laced the air and seabirds were flying in tighly packed groups like starlings are famed for, each sharp turn flashing white as the sun caught their wing surfaces. Hundreds of people were walking their dogs and strolling with their families to grab some post-Christmas fresh air and enjoy the free scenery. Beautiful.

I caught this view (how could one miss it?) looking back at the Hythe over the lazy curve of the Blackwater estuary. The drawing can be seen during its creation in time lapse here.

You must visit Maldon and enjoy for yourselves!

Please Choose drawing or original

A4 Print (hand signed) £14.99 GBP Original 12" x 9" sketch £125.00 GBP

Original drawing of Maldon, Essex
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £125
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

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We are now also on Tumblr

We have lunched a Tumblr page (Micro blogging social network) where you can  follow us.

It can be accessed here theartofengland.tumblr.com

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Drawing of Tower Bridge

Drawing of Tower Bridge

Another iconic building from 1894, or rather bridge, in London. This drawing of Tower Bridge shows the world famous bridge that straddles the River Thames close to the Tower of London (hence it's name). The upper walkway gallery between the towers gives a great view of the Thames I must say.

The bridge has had a few incidents during its history, namely a double decker bus jumping a 3 foot gap as the bridge started to rise in 1952 and my favourite: (words from Wikipedia):

The Hawker Hunter Tower Bridge incident occurred on 5 April 1968 when a Royal Air Force Hawker Hunter FGA.9 jet fighter from No. 1 Squadron, flown by Flt Lt Alan Pollock, flew through Tower Bridge.

Unimpressed that senior staff were not going to celebrate the RAF's 50th birthday with a fly-past, Pollock decided to do something himself. Without authorisation, Pollock flew the Hunter at low altitude down the Thames, past the Houses of Parliament, and continued on toward Tower Bridge. He flew the Hunter beneath the bridge's walkway, remarking afterwards that it was an afterthought when he saw the bridge looming ahead of him.

Pollock was placed under arrest upon landing, and discharged from the RAF on medical grounds without the chance to defend himself at a court martial.

True Brit.

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A4 Print (hand signed) £14.99 GBP Original 12" x 9" sketch £195.00 GBP

Original drawing of TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £195
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Drawing of St Paul's Cathedral

I thought it would be interesting to show the various stages of illustration with one of my Pen and Ink drawings. I have chosen this drawing of St. Paul's Cathedral in the heart of London for the study.


Stage 1: 
I meticulously pencil out all the keylines of the drawing in soft graphite pencil on heavy watercolour paper.

Stage 2:
I use diluted Indian ink to capture all tonal differences of drawing and start to bring it to life. This sky starts as pure water on the paper to make the clear sky ready to accept tone. I introduce ink and let it bleed and diffuse just like the real sky starting from the top which is darker. The ink needs help to reach the horizon which can be done with a weak brush. I turn the picture 180˚ and tilt slightly so any ink bleeds skywards. Whilst still wet and fresh, the sky can be lifted off by using soft tissue which reveals the white paper again to ease in clouds.

Masking fluid (rather like weak Copydex) helps to keep any white areas away from the wash so you should workout where highlights will be in your illustration and apply fluid.

Stage 3: 
I use pen to outline all the key elements of St Paul's Cathedral and pencil for the far distance to give things a sense of depth. Lines in the distance should be finer and lighter to have a sense of regression.

Stage 4: 
I flick ink to suggest foliage or pick out the texture of the paper with the side of a soft black pencil. The masking fluid can be rubbed off to real brilliant white. White highlights not already revealed with masking fluid can be added with process white.

Stage 1: Sketch out in pencil

Stage 2: Apply indian ink wash / watercolour

Stage 3: Apply pen work

St Pauls Cathedral drawing

Please Choose Illustration

A4 Print (hand signed) £14.99 GBP Original 12" x 9" sketch £195.00 GBP

Original Illustration of St Pauls Cathedral, LONDON
Hand signed A4 Print of pen and marker sketch on 90lb watercolour paper £14.99
Original 12" x 9" pen, ink and watercolour on 140lb watercolour paper £195
© All illustrations Robert R Wisdom www.theartofengland.co.uk 2012  

St Paul's Cathedral, London

See where else I have sketched The Art of England in Google maps!

Please Choose Illustration

A4 Print (hand signed) £14.99 GBP Original 12" x 9" sketch £195.00 GBP

Illustrations on display

We think its important for customers to have a central point where all the art can be seen first hand and purchased.

We have started developing our displays for the  original illustrations and prints for selected art galleries. We will post the first location on this site. Trade enquires are welcome at this stage.