Michael Gage

Urban sketching in Sheffield. They're building a new square where Furnival Gate meets Pinstone Street.

Urban sketching in Sheffield. A hot, dry day as temperatures move towards 29 degrees. Armed police on the streets of Sheffield, following the Manchester atrocity. Refuge here in Pool Square, a tiny, but quiet, garden in the city centre.

The pigeon on the gate post posed for the entire time I was drawing.

Urban sketching in Sheffield. From Young Street: Looking north, watching the sun go down over Wickes; and looking south, past the council offices to St Mary's Church.




Each: Ink and watercolour, 18 x 18cm.

Urban sketching in Sheffield. St Paul's Place, and reflections in the glass entrance to the Winter Gardens. Sitting in the same place, looking in two directions, working on two drawings at the same time.




Each: Ink and watercolour, 18 x 18cm.

Urban sketching in Sheffield. The Crucible Theatre, and the gap between the Lyceum Theatre and the Library.


Each: Ink and watercolour, 18 x 18cm.

Next morning, and the sunshine continues. The stream runs through the middle of the village. I'm standing on the bridge that links the two halves, but only two cars pass in an hour. Ink and watercolour, 21 x 13cm.

As we leave Sheffield, the sun comes out. And the next morning in Otterburn starts with more sunshine. The only traffic is a horse and rider, so it's safe to stand on the edge of the road to draw.



Ink and watercolour, 42 x 13cm. Click to enlarge.

Brief visit to Sheffield. It's bitterly cold; the wind whips round the corners of buildings; and then it starts to rain. But it's June! Took refuge in the (appropriately named) "Winter Garden": tropical plants in a enormous greenhouse in the center of the city.



Slightly warmer (that is, slightly less freezing) in the afternoon. Found a bench out of the wind, and drew the Cathedral Precinct.



Each drawing: Ink and watercolour, 42 x 13cm. Click to enlarge.

The old BT Telephone House (now Vita Student) and Rockingham Street.