Lilleshall Abbey – A Line and Wash Watercolour
Lilleshall Abbey - Line and Wash Artwork by LeeBB Art
There’s something about ruins that captures the imagination. They stand as reminders of the past, silent storytellers of lives once lived. In August 2024, I decided to take myself out exploring, determined to find new inspiration closer to home. That’s when I stumbled upon the remains of Lilleshall Abbey, a stunning English Heritage site hidden away in the rolling Shropshire countryside.
It was one of those perfect days – the sun warm, clouds drifting lazily across a brilliant blue sky, the air carrying a quiet stillness. The abbey ruins stood tall and weathered, carrying the weight of centuries, and yet there was a sense of peace about the place. I knew immediately I had to capture it.
A Place Steeped in History
Lilleshall Abbey
This is the photograph I took of the section of the Abbey that I used for the reference.
Founded in the 12th century, Lilleshall Abbey was once a thriving Augustinian abbey. Its monks would have walked the very same paths I found myself wandering, their daily lives wrapped around prayer, work, and devotion. Time hasn’t been kind – the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the English Civil War, and the relentless march of nature have all left their mark.
What remains now is a breathtaking ruin, its arches and walls standing like the skeletal remains of a once-great structure. Yet there’s beauty in that fragility. Every crack, every crumbled stone seems to whisper stories of the people who built it, worshipped there, and lived in its shadow.
Choosing the Subject
As I explored, I found myself drawn to a section of the nave, where a large arched doorway rose gracefully, topped by a smaller arched window. Behind it lay the lush Shropshire countryside, a vivid green that only England can muster, with the endless blue sky above.
It wasn’t just the structure itself that inspired me – it was the feeling. I love history, especially places that hold a thousand untold stories. Standing there, I felt like I was looking through time, and I wanted my painting to hold that same sense of wonder.
My Artistic Process
I began back in the studio with a careful pencil sketch, laying out the structure and perspective. Once I was happy, I went over the drawing with waterproof fineliner pens – strong, deliberate lines to capture the architecture.
From there, the watercolour took over. I painted the ruins first, then the sky and rolling countryside beyond. My first wash was light and loose, building atmosphere. Gradually, I layered deeper washes, working in the darkest values to bring out the contrast and depth.
To finish, I added touches of highlight with a white pastel pencil – a subtle lift to the stones – and then drew a fine line border around the edge of the painting. That small detail gave the piece a sense of projecting outward, almost as if the abbey were stepping out from the paper into the present.
Reflections
Lilleshall Abbey - Close Up
At a closer glance you can get to see the detailed lines and marks of the paint and ink.
Working on this painting felt like capturing more than just stone and sky – it felt like holding a fragment of history. My hope is that when people view Lilleshall Abbey, they feel the same sense of wonder I did. Perhaps it will even inspire them to visit the ruins themselves, to stand in that same place and let their imagination wander.
Own the Original
Lilleshall Abbey - Framed
A framed painting really add another dimention to a piece of artwork.
The original Lilleshall Abbey line and wash watercolour is available for collectors. Painted on Arches 300gsm Coldpress Rough Watercolour Paper (10in x 14in / 26 x 36cm), this one-of-a-kind piece is priced at £150 plus shipping.
🌍 Worldwide shipping available
✨ Original artwork only (no prints)
If you’d like to own a piece of history reimagined in watercolour, you can purchase the painting here.
Closing Thoughts
Ruins are both fragile and eternal, carrying the weight of centuries while reminding us that nothing is truly lost. Through art, I try to keep their stories alive, reimagining them for today. Lilleshall Abbey is one of those moments where history, place, and creativity came together — and I’m excited to share it with you.
