London - Soho to Waterloo

London - Soho to Waterloo, Rosemary Whittle, Watercolour on paper

This snippet of London is a slightly different view from my small London map. It takes us from the vibrant nightlife of Soho to the busy streets of Waterloo and South Bank. The colours in this painting were a break from my recent explorations. I wanted to find a way to highlight the Thames. Running through the city it is as important to London as it’s roads and buildings. You are defined by which side of the river you live and how close. It’s the river Thames that makes maps of London so recognisable, the way it winds through the city is iconic.

Having lived near London all my life, I’ve spent countless hours exploring its streets, soaking in its energy, and uncovering its hidden corners. But less time on the river that is the heart of the city. 

My map paintings explore how humans have left their mark on the world through the design of cities and landscapes. I take these marks and transform them into expressive, fluid watercolour compositions, where the movement of paint mirrors the organic, evolving nature of the city itself. The interplay of pigments, blending and flowing together, creates a unique visual language—a landscape of colour shaped by London’s streets.

Colour is at the heart of my work. Throughout this collection, I experiment with colour combinations, layering different pigments to see how they interact and react. The result is a vibrant, atmospheric map that is both familiar and abstract—a celebration of London’s past, present, and ever-changing future.

Painted on watercolour paper, this artwork is perfect for London lovers, map enthusiasts, and collectors of unique cityscapes.

Size: 

14.8 x 21 cm unframed

26 x 34.5 cm framed

This painting is framed in a black coated MDF frame. Perspex has been used instead of glass for safety and to create a lighter weight frame. See final image for reference.