Creating a pub sketch

My process of sketching a pub can be broken down into three stages. First is the pencil drawing; then the colouring and finally the ink outlining. Most of the process takes place while I’m sitting in a pub with a pint. I’ll work from a photo of the pub, and that can either be one I’ve taken myself, or from the pub’s own publicity shots. Sometimes I’ll work from a couple of images in cases where I like the perspective of the building in one photo, but another photo is a more up-to-date version of the pub today.

Pencil Drawing

Generally I will start by getting the perspective of the building and drawing ‘scaffolding’ lines to find the vanishing points and positions of the main features such as doors and windows. I’ll then drill down to the detail, zooming in on features on my mobile phone. The finished pencil drawing is typically highly detailed, probably more so than the finished piece once colour and ink are added.

Colouring

I use Winsor & Newton Promarker pens. They are alcohol-based markers (appropriate for the subject matter, don’t cha think?). They provide smooth, streak-free coverage and certain colours have the look of watercolours. Each pen is dual-tipped – one end a fine nib and the other broad stroke for larger areas of coverage such as walls or pavements. The first block of colour I normally apply is a very light grey sky to make the building pop away from the background. I usually then tackle the windows, walls and other big features before getting into the detail of signs and hanging baskets, etc. At this stage I’ll also use a white gel marker pen where signage is on a dark background.

Ink Outlining

Using a 1.0 chisel ink pen, I then outline the main features of the building. I use sweeping strokes that give the sketches there slightly wobbly charm. I’m not aiming to create a technical drawing and I feel my style is somewhat inspired by the old Rhubarb and Custard cartoons which I grew up with as a kid.