Traveling Illustrator Captures London’s Historic Pubs as Cut-Out Pen and Ink Drawings

London Pub Illustrations Maxwell Tilse

The Blackfriar. Blackfriars.
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Earlier this year, we introduced you to London-based illustrator Maxwell Tilse, who combines his love of drawing with his passion for traveling. Originally from Sydney, Australia, the 23-year-old travels Europe, documenting each city he visits with beautifully detailed pen and ink sketches. Now, as he prepares to leave London after living there for two years, he has released a new series of cut-out drawings that depict the city’s oldest pubs.

“London is a city packed to the brim with historical wonders that are so easy to miss or pass by, unnoticed,” says Tilse. From the wedge-shaped Black Friar built in 1875, to the quaint Georgian architecture of the The Bricklayers Arms in Fitzrovia, Tilse captures the essence of London’s most quintessentially English watering holes—the oldest being The Old George, which has been in business since 1713.

Approximately 5cm in height, Tilse’s “little pubs” feature charming details, such as stain glass windows, ornamental balconies, and Tudor style chimneys. “I do love the mock Tudor architecture that's nestled in between the grand Victorian hotels and galleries,” the artist admits. He finishes his process by photographing his work, held up beside the original building.

If you love Tilse’s work you can purchase prints via his Etsy shop. Keep up to date with Tilse’s illustrated travel journal on Instagram.

Illustrator Maxwell Tilse Captures London’s oldest pubs in a series of cut-out pen and ink drawings.

London Pub Illustrations Maxwell Tilse

The Coach & Horses. Mayfair.

London Pub Illustrations Maxwell Tilse

The Old George. Bethnal Green.

London Pub Illustrations Maxwell Tilse

The Bricklayers Arms, Fitzrovia.

London Pub Illustrations Maxwell Tilse

The Dove. Hackney

London Pub Illustrations Maxwell Tilse

The Crown. Covent Garden.

Tilse has also captured other London landmarks, such as the London Bridge and Big Ben.

London Bridge

Big Ben

Maxwell Tilse: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Etsy
h/t: [Reddit]

All images via Maxwell Tilse.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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