Bristol sketch artist pays homage to British pub culture

Bea Swallow

BBC News, Bristol

Frank Morris creates snapshots in time as a way to “cherish” the pubs before they are gone

Frank Morris A male hand holding up a horizontal A4 piece of paper with an ink sketch on it, depicting a pub called The Star. The sketch is incredibly detailed, showing the pub's sign, windows, barrels outside and people both in and outside of the pub. Behind the sketch is the pub itself, which looks exactly like the drawing. — Frank Morris creates snapshots in time as a way to “cherish” the pubs before they are gone

A sketch artist has immortalised more than 50 pubs on paper to highlight “how important drinking establishments are to local communities”.

Frank Morris, 30, has lived in Bristol for the past two years and aspires to one day publish a book on the city’s pubs, featuring his art alongside local history.

His sketches can take anywhere between five and 10 hours to complete, so he will set up a fisherman’s stool on the pavement opposite and freehand the proportions.

“Like a lot of people, I love pubs,” he said. “I think they’re probably one of the best things about this country.”

Mr Morris described his creative hobby as a “fun way to discover the city”

PA Media/Frank Morris Frank Morris is wearing black glasses, a brown beanie hat and a yellow T-shirt underneath a dark blue denim shirt. He is sitting down beside a brick wall with graffiti art on it. He is sketching on a pad of paper that is resting on his lap. — Mr Morris described his creative hobby as a “fun way to discover the city”

At a time when the pub industry is facing a lot of challenges and upheaval, Mr Morris said he feels his project is paramount as a means of championing the significant impact pubs have on British society.

“When you’re drawing the pubs and speaking with passers-by and bar staff, it really highlights how important pubs are to local communities,” he said.

‘Celebrating pubs’

“[Pubs] are like small microcosms with their own little quirks and there’s so much history in each pub you go to.

“Around 400 pubs in England and Wales closed in 2024 due to things like the cost-of-living crisis and Covid-19.

“My project is all about celebrating pubs and how we should cherish them while they’re here, as I’ve drawn a few pubs which have now sadly closed.”

Mr Morris uses a 0.1mm (0.03in) pen and A4 paper to create his masterpieces

Frank Morris A detailed ink sketch depicting a Bristol pub called The Langton. It has crests carved into the stone roof, bay windows and around 10 stone pillars holding up the front. People are sitting on benches outside and smiling. — Mr Morris uses a 0.1mm (0.03in) pen and A4 paper to create his masterpieces

Mr Morris has illustrated more than 30 Bristol pubs including The Golden Guinea, The Old Bookshop, The Cornubia and The Old Duke.

He said: “You think you’ve found all your favourite pubs and then you realise around the corner, tucked away, there’s another amazing pub you haven’t discovered yet.

“Bristol has a really big graffiti culture so it’s not uncommon for pubs to be covered in amazing murals, which I think is really special and adds to the character of this city.”

Mr Morris likes to incorporate hidden gems inside his drawings, like the pub landlord and her dog exiting The Golden Guinea (R)

Frank Morris A composite image showing a side by side picture of two of Frank Morris' ink sketches. They both depict tall brick pubs with a stone staircase leading up to the front door. The one on the right shows a person walking their dog just out of frame. — Mr Morris likes to incorporate hidden gems inside his drawings, like the pub landlord and her dog exiting The Golden Guinea (R)

Mr Morris also tries to add personal touches to his art wherever possible, and has worked on several commissions over the past few years.

“Quite a common one is first date spots,” he said. “I offer to, if they want, add them in the drawing in a subtle way.

“They’ll send me photos of them and then maybe hidden through a window I’ll add their silhouette, which has been really sweet.

“Recently, I also drew The Cornubia and I met the landlord Jackie as she was leaving and she loved the drawing as I got her dog in it.”

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Bristol sketch artist pays homage to British pub culture

‘Celebrating pubs’

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