Charing Cross in Light

Inspired by an evening walk along London's South Bank, this painting explores how different sources of artificial light combine to transform the city after dark. The cool blue illumination of Hungerford Bridge intersects with the warm glow of fairy lights and street lamps, creating a composition built as much from colour and structure as from architecture.

This painting was created for a step-by-step tutorial for Artists & Illustrators magazine, exploring how different types of artificial light can work together within a single scene.

I'd spent the evening in London for the British Art Prize exhibition and, as always, found myself looking for new painting ideas on the walk back. What caught my attention wasn't the bridge itself, but the way its illuminated structure crossed paths with the warm fairy lights and street lamps below.