I love old buildings, especially the fine details that architects used to incorporate and that are often missing from new builds.

I also love drawing old buildings. So it made sense to set myself a challenge to draw my favourite local ones as a personal drawing project. Something to do in between making lampshades, working part time and being a mum (not much time there then!)

The first one is literally 5 minutes from my house – the Marlow Road Centre – which has been a technical college and hospital during the war and is now a youth and community centre. I have thought about drawing the fine details of this building for a while, so although it was a bit of a challenge it is great to finally see it completed.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead use the building and have asked if they can print my drawing to display on the wall – not bad for my first attempt, very happy!

Next is one of my favourite local National Trust properties – Cliveden House in Taplow. We go there lots as a family; I never get tired of looking round the gardens and admiring this impressive house.

This was a bit of a labour of love to draw – 26 windows and countless spindles on the balustrades. My drawing board came in handy for all the straight lines and I’m really happy with the final result after a few hours of fiddling in PhotoShop.

This is the front of the house where there are usually lots of posh cars parked. I decided to put a soft grey outline on this one and the colours are generally much more muted than my first red brick drawing.

So, what next? After choosing two tricky properties I may pick an easier one next time! I haven’t decided yet but I have a feeling it won’t be long before I’m itching to get started on another drawing… let me know if you have any suggestions!