Do you have a favourite building?
Maybe there’s a romantic connection? Or it inspires you because of its beauty?
Battersea Power Station might be an unlikely favourite building, but it captures the imagination of many and is a popular subject matter for art.
I first saw it on an album a cover in the 70’s and was intrigued. The artwork by Storm Thorgusson, on Pink Floyds Animals, has a gritty industrial feel. Later, as an occupational therapy student on placement in Clapham and then South Croydon I would pass it on the train. Let’s just say it impressed me. So when I started illustrating architecture, painting Battersea Power station was already on the “Must do” list.
The reference image was taken just after work had started on the development of the site into luxury apartments

All copyrights are retained by the artist, and that the artwork cannot be reproduced without consent from Cathy Read.

The picture was initially drawn with pencil onto watercolour paper. These lines were then drawn over using masking fluid and then painted using watercolour paint and acrylic ink. Salt was also used in the process and some of the ink blown around using a straw. Once the painting was dry the masking fluid was removed to reveal the finished painting. The picture is 56cm high by 76cm wide and was created in England in 2015.