Original painting of Liverpool Street Station at Night by Cathy Read

London architecture

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Forget Paris, London is for lovers

London architecture has a romance of its own. London City is a global arts centre

The iconic buildings designed to impress, make a statement above mere functionality. And there are plenty of those in London Architecture. The details that may be an afterthought or an essential element of the construction. I take the solid functional materials (bricks, concrete, glass…) and using a series of watercolour and ink processes turn them into fluid and impressionistic creations.

My abstracted work is inspired by patterns and habits (or patterns of behaviour).

I see these patterns in everyday structures; such as the roof supports of railway stations, brickwork, patterns on the pavement. They are the signs of the passage of time, of the influence man has on his environment, of change and the slow, relentless passing of time.

I’m also influenced by perspective; how the world is very different when we look up or down on things, or see things through or alongside nearby objects, such as the framing of a window, railings receding into the distance or a simple sign.

I’ll often ask of myself What would the 4 year old me focus on? or What would this look like from this or a particular angle?

That sense of buildings towering over you.

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Drawing out elements into abstract form

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Sometimes walking around London is enough

I find the inspiration for some of these London paintings during walks around city.  I may make a special trip to focus on one area, like the Gherkin or Lloyds building. At other times, I happen upon things and use my phone, Like Bobbies on Bicycles or Taxi Marathon. I look for things that can be easily overlooked or look at the light on a particular day and how it illuminates the architecture or contrasts with the sky.. I include traffic as a transient feature, like natural light, traffic is in a continutous process on changing.

 

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The types of things you might remember on a first date. Gazing up you see details that are often missed by the city dweller going about their day. Reflections of surrounding architecture in glass, for example. Or that sense of looming you get as a child, when you feel as though the buildings will topple over, even though they’ve been standing for years. And some London architecture has been standing for many years.

People come here to enjoy the night-life, culture,  museums, history, galleries, scenery, romantic meals, pageantry… the list goes on. Rarely am I interested in a view, it’s a dream that catches my eye.

Would like to know more or discus any of the paintings? Please ring +44 (0)7818240116 or email me at cathy@cathyreadart.com

Or check out which paintings are available in my online shop?

Browse Available London Paintings

4 thoughts on “London architecture”

  1. Jess Carnegie

    Hello,
    I’m currently studying GCSE art at my school, in which we’re doing a topic based on Urban Environment for our final pieces. I came across your work and I though it would really suit what I want to do, and I was wondering how you manage to get the blotchy, almost tie-dye style? I love all your work, they’re all amazing!
    Thankyou!

    1. admin

      Thank you Jess! The pictures are pencil sketched first, I then use making fluid applied with a line drawing tool before painting with a watercolour wash using cling film on top. After removing the cling film, I then apply acrylic ink while wet and use salt on it. This is left to dry before more ink is applied and blown around with a straw. Then, once it is dry I remove all the masking and clean it up. I suggest you experiment a bit first! The tricky bit is getting the water level right- spray bottles help. Good luck with your GCSE. Cathy

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