One of the missions I set myself was to draw old pubs in Soho. Pubs…they are a dying breed these days. Remember pubs? they’ll say one day. Pubs were great. So many are closing down, old ones like the Nellie Dean, an old favourite of mine, and those that remain are often modernising, sterilising, losing their uniqueness. I say that, but still I managed to find many great old pubs in London, and people still drink a lot, despite the massive hikes in the price of a pint. Wow, beer is dear now. But for me its the existence of the pub, and the old architecture of the British public house, that I’m drawn to (I actually don’t like a lot of beer in London these days, I prefer the brews of the west coast of America). While back, I did stop by an old favourite, the Ship in Wardour Street, for a great evening. This pub, The Lyric in Great Windmill Street (http://www.lyricsoho.co.uk/), sits on the cusp of Theatreland, and while I’ve never actually been in I have walked by many times wanting to sketch it. So on my first day back I made sure I drew it. I stood opposite on an extremely narrow pavement while delivery vans stopped and started and a local workman, presumably some sort of security guard, I wasn’t sure, stood chatting away on the phone the entire time, joking with his colleague about something called a “jelly cab” whatever that is. He was friendly, and asked if I was an architect, I said no, they work longer hours than me. I did most of the inkwork and some of the paint, but finished off the paintwork later. It is nice taking sketches home to colour in, it gives me more time to sketch other things! Which I promptly did. Anyway I am very pleased with the result and here is another London pub added to my collection. I love Soho.
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petescully 
Do you use watercolor after the sketch? Also do you use regular paper or is it specific to your media?
Yes, I colour it in with watercolour. This was done on Stillman and Birn ‘Alpha’ paper. I love that paper best right now.
Thanks! I’ve started sketching/drawing again and wanted something more than pencil and pen, but my normal sketchbook gets ruined with watercolor. I appreciate that you took the time to reply!
This one feels like it could be an illustration in a book.
I hope they’ll always be a handful of “traditional” pubs.
Me too! My favourites are when it’s Christmas time, an old pub with a warm atmosphere.
I think you should do a book of pubs! Maybe someone else could write the history of each one. I can see it on the tables at Hatchards where tourists like myself would buy it! (London book shops….there’s another theme for ya!)
This is great!
Oh I’ve thought about it. I’m working on the Davis one, if time ever allows, but one of old pubs around Britain would be awesome.
Your drawing is wonderful. It really captures the charm of that pub’s architecture.
Great drawing. You should come to Australia for your pub series, I can tell you, pubs are definitely not disappearing down under.
Cheers! I’d love to sketch actual Aussie pubs. Even the Aussie-themed pubs in London seem to be vanishing (used to be loads back in the 90s)
I loved this! You put so much charm into your art.
Thanks!