Although Nigel Wray passed his GCE ‘O’ level art whilst at school, it was only after retirement that he began to turn his attention to drawing again. It was during the Covid epidemic period, 2020-2022 that he began to seriously study and draw the architecture of Bradford, past and present. He is a self-taught artist and in his younger days was a former rugby league player with Bradford Northern.
Since 2020 he has produced over 200 pencil drawings of Bradford architectural landmarks, including City Hall, Bradford Cathedral, Valley Parade, the Alhambra Theatre, and the Bradford Live music venue.
The Alhambra and Bradford Live
City Hall, Bradford
Collinson’s Cafe
He told the Bradford ‘Telegraph & Argus (January 24, 2026) :
Bradford has some beautiful architecture and monuments; it’s a pleasure to draw all the detail. All my drawings are in different grades of leaded pencil. Sometimes I use coloured pencil if I feel the drawing needs it. Over the last three years it has really taken off. The pleasure I get from drawing, and from the end result, is great.
During 2025/6 he turned his attention to drawing the historic pubs of the city, particularly those that are vulnerable to closure. He told the Telegraph & Argus:
Pubs are a big part of our heritage and culture. Many of Bradford’s old pubs were linked to industry. You’d finish work and go to the pub. But sadly a lot of them are disappearing. I wanted to highlight some of these fantastic places – pubs that have been around for a long time, at the heart of communities, where people can still go to meet up.
Oddfellows Arms, Eccleshill
Lane Ends pub, Idle.
Many of Nigel’s drawings start with photographs he has taken or has seen of buildings now long gone, e.g. the old Kirkgate Market; Bradford Technical College (see below).
Bradford Technical College
Once he has started, he can spend 10 or more absorbed hours on the drawings. Nigel has now exhibited his work widely, including at the Sunbridge Wells shopping and leisure tunnels in Bradford, as well as at Bradford Mechanics Institute, the Trapezium Gallery, and Bradford Industrial Museum.
Eastbrook Hall
Nigel’s sketches have struck a chord with local people and he has now over 600 people following his work on his Facebook page (see below).
In January 2025 the BBC made a short film highlighting Nigel’s work: BBC Nigel Wray
Artist Contact: Facebook: N S Wray Art