The Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford is one of the city’s more famous and prominent buildings. It is also a building I’ve done various sketches of over the years – perhaps with the objective of producing a more complete drawing one day – but also because I think it is good practice.

With that in mind I headed back into Oxford to do some more sketching over the last couple of weekends. Oxford is busier now with a mixture of students, shoppers, tourists and a few locals. All seem to be either rushing somewhere or otherwise occupied. Sitting drawing for a while tends to give you a different perspective (no pun intended) and it prompts the question: where are they all going?

Anyway, I can usually find a spot that is tucked a little out of the main thoroughfare to sketch – and here are the results this time.

A close-up view of some of the detail on the Sheldonian.

And one of my sketches – from across the road (outside Blackwells Bookshop).

My sketch.

And a scan of the above…

I also did another slightly more whimsical sketch from a different angle – some people like to slant their buildings…

For comparison here is an earlier and more complete study from a couple of years ago.