Wells Cathedral

Here is Wells Cathedral, sketched from a stone step in the cloisters.

The cathedral was started in 1175 and dedicated in 1239. This central tower was heightened in 1326, and is supported by a marvellous system of scissor arches, installed across the nave and transepts in 1338 by a mason called William Joy. He must have been courageous, as the design of the internal bracing arches is radical, and evidently he was talented, as the tower still stands.

The pinnacles I have drawn were installed in the 15th century after a fire destroyed the original lead roof and spire.

Here is work in progress on the drawing, and a map to show the viewpoint. As you see, I made a preliminary sketch to try to get my head around the perspective lines.

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I made a second sketch, based on the first:

This is one of a series of drawings of English Cathedrals. Here are some of the others in the series: