Drawing the intricate architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral as seen from Watling Street was one of my favourite pieces of all time. Having started my artistic journey with architectural illustrations, I’ve always been drawn to the beauty and complexity of London’s historic buildings.
Here’s a look at my process for creating a pencil illustration of St Paul’s Cathedral. I’m afraid I drew this at a time before I knew to take ‘work in process’ shots but I have described my journey in detail here:
Step 1: Establishing the Perspective
When drawing a view like St Paul’s Cathedral from Watling Street, perspective is key. The street helpfully creates a natural leading line that draws the viewer’s eye towards the cathedral’s magnificent dome and base. I start by lightly sketching the main lines of the composition, focusing on creating a realistic sense of depth. This includes outlining the angles of the street and the converging lines of the surrounding buildings, all leading towards the focal point—the dome.
The initial sketch is done with a 2H pencil, which is light enough to avoid leaving any harsh lines on the paper. At this stage, I’m not concerned with details; I’m simply setting the stage and making sure the perspective feels balanced and true to life.
Step 2: Defining Shapes and Adding Depth
Once the basic structure is in place, I start refining the main shapes of St Paul’s Cathedral, such as the dome, columns, and decorative details. I use a range of pencils from 2H to 2B to gradually build up the drawing, adding more definition to the architectural elements. During this phase, I pay close attention to proportions, making sure that the intricate details of the cathedral are accurately represented.
The choice of paper is crucial for this step. I use Strathmore Bristol smooth heavyweight paper, which provides a fine texture that allows for precise line work and smooth shading, essential for rendering architectural details.
Step 3: Creating Tone and Shadow
With the structure defined, I move on to tone and shadow, which are crucial for bringing the drawing to life. I carefully observe the light and shadow across the facade of St Paul’s, especially around the dome where the light creates dramatic contrasts. I use darker pencils, ranging from 4B to 9B, to add depth in the shadowed areas, such as the recesses between columns or the darker parts of the dome.
Tone is built up gradually, layering the graphite to achieve a realistic range of values. For the lighter areas, I blend gently using a tortillon to soften the transitions and create a more natural look. The shadows cast by the surrounding buildings on Watling Street also help frame the cathedral and add to the drawing’s sense of depth and realism.
Step 4: Enhancing Details and Texture
The final step is all about refining the details. Using fine-pointed pencils like the 2H and HB, I go back over the intricate textures on the cathedral's facade—such as the carvings, windows, and stonework—to give them more clarity and precision. For the dome, I carefully draw the ribbed lines and add the subtle highlights that bring out its rounded form.
I also include some texture on the street itself, hinting at the cobblestones and subtle imperfections in the road surface, which adds character and authenticity to the scene.
Bringing It All Together
The completed illustration captures not only the architectural beauty of St Paul’s Cathedral but also the atmosphere of Watling Street, with its blend of old and new London. Every stroke is intentional, from the faintest lines in the background to the boldest shadows in the foreground. It’s a process that requires a lot of patience - it is my meditation.
As an artist, I find great joy in sharing my work with others. The original drawings often become part of my print and greetings card collection, available on my website and at renowned locations like St Paul’s Cathedral and the Guildhall Art Gallery gift shops.
Thank you for taking a moment to learn about my process. I hope yo8 have found it helpful and that my drawings bring a little bit of London’s beauty into your home.
Comments