Capturing the Charm of Oxford: My Watercolour Journey with the Bridge of Sighs (Part 1)

As an artist, there's nothing quite like the thrill of trying to capture the essence of a place that fills you with inspiration. Living near Oxford, I am constantly surrounded by stunning architecture, but the Bridge of Sighs stands out as my favourite. Its rich history and intricate design have made it the star of my latest watercolour project.

Whenever I sit down to sketch this iconic structure, I get lost in its beauty. The way sunlight sparkles against its stone arches at sunset is captivating. With my sketchbook ready, I aim to not only illustrate the bridge's physical features but also express the emotions it stirs in both students and locals.

The Drawing Journey

To kick off my journey, I spent countless hours around the bridge, observing it from various angles. My goal was to soak in every detail and the overall mood before touching my pencil to paper. Each visit involved quick sketches that allowed me to experiment with perspective and framing. This early process helped me build a deep connection with the scenery and sharpen my drawing skills.

On a particularly radiant morning, I settled down on a low wall for the perfect view to capture the bridge in all its glory. As I began sketching, I learned the importance of focusing on subtle details. The billowing clouds above, the sun reflecting off the stonework, and the movement of people added life to my drawing. These elements are crucial to replicate vibrancy and energy during the watercolour stage.

The Watercolour Journey

This will be discussed in a later blog post.