Before Beeching.

With Corbar Cross now complete I now have some time to paint one of Buxton’s lost views; the twin train stations. Although this scene has not entirely disappeared as the former LNWR station still survives today, the old Midland Station was demolished in the late 1960s. It now lies under the inner relief road and spring gardens car park.

As I struggled to find a detailed enough image of the two stations side by side I had to use Photoshop to transform and splice two images together. To help I have also found some detailed images of the Midland station but without the LNWR station in it. I am trying to recreate the scene as it would of been in the early 60s and so I am trying to create a slightly run down look, it will also be important to recapture the maroon colours of BR that are shown on the front of the stations.

Pencil outline of the 2 twin stations drawn into place.

Pencil outline of the 2 twin stations drawn into place.

Image was created using old images of the demolished Midland Station and Photoshop

Image was created using old images of the demolished Midland Station and Photoshop

Babbington Lane

Work on Babbington Lane continues. A majority of the shops on the left hand side of the street have now been added along with some more shop window details within the Potts Shop and adjacent shop. To help with finer detail I have had to purchase a very fine paintbrush. At the current pace I am aiming to have the painting completed at the end of August.

Babbington Lane now showing a majority of buildings and shops on the left of the street completed.

Babbington Lane now showing a majority of buildings and shops on the left of the street completed.

Corbar Cross

The painting has progressed rapidly over the past few days and is now nearly completed. The wall, perimeter fencing and shrubs have been added along with some missing sky details. All that is needed is the barbed wire which will be added once the painting has had chance to dry.

Nearly completed, just the barbed wire to add.

Nearly completed, just the barbed wire to add.

Nearly completed, just lacking some barbed wire and shrubs in the forefront of the painting.

Nearly completed, just lacking some barbed wire and shrubs in the forefront of the painting.

Babbington Lane.

Another quick update on the Babbington Lane painting. Some shop window details have been added to the shop next to Potts and other details drawn in ready for painting over the next few weeks. With the summer break fast approaching I am hoping to complete this painting within the next month.

Shop details have been added to the shop next to Potts.

Shop details have been added to the shop next to Potts.

Corbar Cross

The painting of Corbar Cross has progressed very quickly now the main cross and snow on the ground has been added. With the adding of the wall in the foreground the painting could be completed by the end of next week, this will allow me to start a different image (Solomans Temple)

Corbar Cross showing the cross painted in along with the snow and some details on the ground.

Corbar Cross showing the cross painted in along with the snow and some details on the ground.

Babbington Lane.

Over the past week I have managed to add a few more details and windows to the Babbington Lane painting. Am hoping to finish putting items in the shop Potts Shop window and also  more details to the sign and other shops along the street.

Showing more windows and details added to the Potts Shop window.

Showing more windows and details added to the Potts Shop window.