Stephen Wiltshire spent today beside the River Thames in Marlow, capturing the town’s famous bridge in pen and ink.
Stephen drawing Marlow Bridge from the riverside.
Drawing beside the Thames
Seated at his easel on the riverbank, Stephen began by mapping out the bridge’s distinctive towers and suspension lines. As the drawing developed, he added the riverside trees, buildings and reflections that give this stretch of the Thames its character.
The first lines of Marlow Bridge on paper.
The bridge and drawing taking shape in the sunshine.
Line by line
Working directly from the view before him, Stephen built the scene line by line. Fine architectural details sit alongside looser marks for the water, sky and surrounding landscape, bringing the riverside setting to life.
Building the scene line by line in pen and ink.
Working beside the River Thames in Marlow.
A riverside view beneath Marlow Bridge.
The finished drawing
By the end of the session, the bridge, river and surrounding landscape had come together in a detailed monochrome study of Marlow. The finished work records both the structure of the landmark and the atmosphere of a bright early autumn day beside the Thames.
Stephen with the completed Marlow Bridge drawing.