‘architectural reflections’ by peter crawley 420 gsm white watercolour paper, black cotton thread 420 x 594 mm all images courtesy peter crawley

not your typical medium when it comes to illustrating, british artist peter crawley has created a collection of abstract and architectural renderings using only thread and watercolour paper. both painstakingly accurate and minimalist, crawley’s stitched illustrations of buildings and urban structures is suggestive of architect paul rudolph’s delineations.

the stitched body of work explored other themes such as typography and moiré patterns with a set of methods that is surprisingly broad and flexible.

peter crawley: stitched illustrations detail of ‘architectural reflections’

peter crawley: stitched illustrations ‘no.1 croydon’ 420 gsm white watercolour paper, black cotton thread 594 x 420 mm

peter crawley: stitched illustrations detail

peter crawley: stitched illustrations detail

peter crawley: stitched illustrations ’empire state building’ 420 gsm white watercolour paper, black cotton thread 594 x 840 mm

peter crawley: stitched illustrations detail of ’55 broadway’ 420 gsm white watercolour paper, black cotton thread 594 x 420 mm

peter crawley: stitched illustrations detail

peter crawley: stitched illustrations ‘january’ 420 gsm white watercolour paper, coloured cotton thread 420 x 297 mm

peter crawley: stitched illustrations detail

peter crawley: stitched illustrations ‘colour wheel’ 420 gsm white watercolour paper, 24 coloured threads 400 x 400 mm

peter crawley: stitched illustrations overall and detail shots