Description

Nocturn Intersection III is my third interpretation of one of Birmingham’s busiest junctions.

I focused on the point where Hill Street and Navigation Street meet, looking directly at the iconic Birmingham New Street Signal Box. On a wet, stormy night, cars cut across the yellow traffic box while the wind whipped the clouds into motion. At the same time, rain spots from my lens became part of the story, adding extra texture and atmosphere.

Inspiration for Nocturn Intersection III Pastel Drawing

Birmingham isn’t just a city to me, it feels alive. Rain-slicked streets, glowing neon corners, and the shimmer of wet tarmac under streetlamps always inspire me. Because of this, I often return to this intersection. The reflections of the car lights create both energy and rhythm, which my slow shutter photos capture in a very dynamic way.

Meanwhile, the brutalist form of the Signal Box stands as a brooding contrast. The rest of the skyline seems to press down on the scene, holding the chaos within the yellow diagonal lines of the box junction.

Techniques and Media Used

A strong composition is always my priority. In this pastel work, I used the bold diagonal yellow lines to guide the viewer’s eye into the scene.

The main characters are the cars, their headlights glowing and distorted, their reflections dancing across the wet road. By limiting my palette to greys and blues, I created unity while allowing flickers of orange and red to stand out. I applied marks with energy and variation, letting the immediacy of pastel strokes echo the restless vitality of the city at night.

• Title: Nocturn Intersection III
• Artist: Julie Swinsco
• Medium: Pastel on grey paper
• Size (unframed): 68 × 51 cm (image size 39 × 28 cm)
• Authenticity: Hand-signed, Certificate of Authenticity included

This original Birmingham pastel cityscape captures rain, light, and motion at the heart of the city.