A sunny afternoon at The Depot, Lewes

working out what can be fitted into the sketch

finished watercolour, includes a couple of characters to spot

the finished watercolour currently hangs on the wall in the Depot cafe/bar area

I have enjoyed painting cinemas recently, including the Duke of Yorks in Brighton, The Dome in Worthing and the Orion in Burgess Hill. Lewes has an absolutely fabulous new cinema in the Depot. Housed in the old Harveys brewery depot beside the railway station, it has been designed to nestle in the topography and be an absolute gem for Lewes.

It was however a bit of a challenge to paint, to fit in all the elements that I wanted, so as usual a little bit of artist's licence was needed!

I fancy painting a night time view, too. watch this space for that.

The Picture House _ The Duke of Yorks Cinema, Brighton

initial sketch of the cinema in my sketch book

now all drawn out and ready to paint

Finished! can you spot the film directors?

The Duke of Yorks cinema in Brighton is an iconic building that is one of the oldest, continuous running cinemas in the country. Those stripey legs are a landmark!

For my people relaxing and discussing film, I chose some film directors and local supporters of the cinema.

David Lynch, Stanley Kubrik, Ben Wheaton, Nick Cave are there among others, also represented are Violet Melnotte-Wyatt, the actress that had the theatre built, and Brighton arts club Joseph Longhurst, painting the old Longhurst brewery, that was there previously, owned by his father Henry Braddock Longhurst.

Opening time at the Cinema

sketched out plans 

all drawn out and ready to paint

all done

There is an old cinema, The Orion,  in Burgess Hill which has bucked the trend and still shows films, but its future is under threat from a big multi screen that is due to be built nearby.
I have a vivid memory of queueing for this cinema with my sister on a hot day in the school summer holidays, waiting for the doors to open, and hoping we would get in. We would probably have had a box of smarties or fruit pastilles, bought from the nearby sweet shop on the way.
Here is the day, reimagined in pen and watercolour.