New York New York

A City in Marks: Chaz Newton-Smith’s Hand-Drawn New York

In a world increasingly mediated by speed and automation, the deliberate pace of Chaz Newton-Smith’s process stands out. Eight years ago, after losing a part-time role as a youth worker—a job he valued—Newton-Smith found himself at a crossroads. Trained as an artist but working far from the studio, redundancy offered him something rare: time. He seized it, leaning fully into the pursuit of a creative life.

One of the first works to emerge from this period of transition is his intricate digital drawing of New York City, a work that vibrates with both precision and pulse. Created entirely by hand on Adobe Draw (now Adobe Fresco), the piece is, at first glance, almost photographic. The view is expansive—a dense tapestry of high-rises, stretching across the skyline toward the Empire State Building’s unmistakable spire. It’s the New York that many artists, from Edward Hopper to the modern street photographers, have sought to capture: grand, busy, inexhaustible.

Yet move closer to the piece and something shifts. What appeared to be photographic detail dissolves into a web of deliberate marks, each one laid down individually by Newton-Smith’s finger, long before the advent of the Apple Pencil. These marks—layered, angled, sometimes barely perceptible—reveal an entirely different New York. It is one shaped not by pixels but by patience, by the expressive act of mark-making that defines Newton-Smith’s style.

The piece took over 100 hours to complete, an act of endurance that mirrors the energy of the city itself. Every building, every shadow and reflective surface, has been crafted manually. And because the drawing is a vector, it can be scaled infinitely—printed the size of a postcard or a billboard—without losing the intimacy of its original touch.

The work quickly drew attention. After posting it to Twitter, Newton-Smith was contacted by Adobe itself, including the lead developer of Adobe Draw, who wanted to know how such a work had been created using only their tools. It was a small but telling moment: proof that even in the endless churn of digital art, craftsmanship and vision still stand out.

Newton-Smith, based in Stockport, England, joins a long tradition of artists—both British and New York-based—who find in the city’s architecture not just subjects, but metaphors. His New York is not the polished postcard version, nor is it reduced to gritty stereotype. Instead, it is alive with the tension between the monumental and the human, between the overwhelming scale of the city and the tiny, persistent marks that make it real.

In an era when AI can render a cityscape in seconds, there is something quietly radical about Newton-Smith’s approach. His drawing reminds us that a city, like a work of art, is built one mark at a time.

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Chaz Newton-Smith

Introducing Chaz Newton-Smith

Born in Bristol in 1982, Chaz Newton-Smith is an artist whose bold, expressive work captures the energy of urban life and the beauty of the natural world. After studying Fine Art at the University of Northampton, Chaz moved to Manchester in 2005, eventually settling in Stockport, where he continues to refine his unique approach to abstract expressionism.

Chaz’s large-scale paintings take over a month to complete, layering dynamic brushstrokes, rich textures, and vivid colors to create pieces that feel alive with movement. His work draws inspiration from the Abstract Expressionist greats—from the raw emotion of Franz Kline to the gestural power of Willem de Kooning and the bold color explorations of Joan Mitchell. While these masters set the bar high, Chaz embraces the challenge of pushing his own practice forward, capturing both architectural structure and human emotion in each composition.

Beyond his artistic journey, Chaz has faced immense personal challenges. In December 2018, he suffered a severe brain injury after being run over, an event that demanded years of dedicated rehabilitation. Despite this, his determination never wavered, and the experience has profoundly shaped his art—infusing it with an even deeper sense of resilience, expression, and life.

Today, Chaz’s work is showcased at The Springfield House Gallery, a space that blends historic character with contemporary vision, providing the perfect setting for his bold and evocative paintings.

Explore the collection and experience the energy of Chaz Newton-Smith’s art—where every stroke tells a story.

A weekend away at the lake district

A Weekend in the Lake District: Inspiration at The Inn at Grasmere

Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery to spark fresh inspiration. That’s exactly what happened when Chaz Newton-Smith and his wife, Sarah, took a rare weekend away—just the two of them—escaping the chaos of family life for some well-earned peace in the Lake District.

Their destination? The Inn at Grasmere—a charming retreat nestled in the heart of one of England’s most breathtaking landscapes. With its cosy rooms, stunning views, and warm hospitality, it was the perfect base for a weekend of relaxation, long walks, and, of course, a little artistic inspiration.

“You Should Paint This!”

As they wandered through Grasmere and Ambleside, taking in the misty hills and shimmering water, Sarah turned to Chaz and, with the conviction of someone who had just uncovered a masterpiece, said:

“You should paint this!”

Chaz—who had, of course, already been quietly studying the landscapes with an artist’s eye—just gave his best Ranger face (a knowing, slightly amused expression of agreement) and let the idea settle.

Back in his Stockport studio, the inspiration took hold. He created three striking paintings of the river in Ambleside, each capturing the wild energy of the water and the timeless beauty of the landscape. One piece even features the House Over the River, a beloved local landmark that adds a touch of history and character to the scene.

See the Paintings at The Springfield House Gallery

That one weekend away proved to be more than just a relaxing break—it was a catalyst for new work. Now, those three paintings can be viewed in person at The Springfield House Gallery, where Chaz’s bold, expressive style brings the landscapes of Ambleside to life.

Want to see them for yourself? Book an appointment to visit the gallery and experience the inspiration firsthand.

The Harlyn Bay paintings

The Harlyn Bay Paintings

In August 2020, during a break in the Covid lockdowns, Chaz Newton-Smith and his family spent a week in Harlyn Bay, Cornwall. It was a welcome change of pace and a chance to reset. At the time, Chaz was still recovering from injuries sustained in a serious accident the year before, and while he had started to regain his strength, painting was taking longer than usual.

One evening, during particularly stormy weather, Sarah, Chaz’s wife, suggested he go out and photograph the waves. He did just that, capturing the movement and energy of the sea as it crashed against the shore. Those photographs became the starting point for his first major paintings since the accident.

Back in Stockport, Chaz was working from a small kitchen at the back of a carpentry studio, a space that had been generously offered to him. Though far from ideal, it allowed him to start painting again. Using his reference photos from Cornwall, he began working on three pieces, each focusing on the power and movement of the waves.

The Painting Process

Each painting took longer than his usual workflow, as Chaz was still adapting to a different pace post-recovery. His approach remained consistent—bold brushstrokes, thick textures, and expressive use of color—capturing the energy of the sea rather than a literal representation. The deep blues, foamy whites, and dark rocky foregrounds create a sense of movement, bringing the stormy coastline to life.

The Harlyn Bay Series at The Springfield House Gallery

These three paintings of Harlyn Bay were a significant step in getting back to painting regularly. They are now on display at The Springfield House Gallery, where visitors can see how this trip played a role in Chaz’s artistic journey.

Want to see them in person? Book an appointment to visit the gallery.

The Stockport Viaduct: A Landmark in Art and History

The Stockport Viaduct: A Landmark in Art and History

The Stockport Viaduct is one of the most striking architectural features in the North West of England. Built between 1839 and 1840, it was a major feat of engineering at the time and remains one of the largest brick structures in the UK. Standing 111 feet tall and stretching over 1,800 feet, it was designed to carry the Manchester to Birmingham railway over the River Mersey. With its 27 imposing arches and its prominent red-brick construction, the viaduct has become an enduring symbol of Stockport’s industrial heritage.

The Viaduct in Art

For nearly two centuries, the Stockport Viaduct has inspired artists who have captured its scale and presence in different styles. One of the most famous depictions is L.S. Lowry’s 1960 painting “Stockport Viaduct”, which presents the structure in his signature industrial style, with muted tones and a populated foreground. The viaduct also appeared in the works of Frederick William Jackson, a Manchester-born artist known for his landscapes. The sheer size and character of the viaduct make it an ideal subject for painters who appreciate both architectural grandeur and urban life.

Chaz Newton-Smith’s Approach

For Chaz Newton-Smith, painting the Stockport Viaduct was a natural challenge. Known for his expressive, abstract style, Chaz was drawn to the way the viaduct dominates the skyline while also blending into the daily life of Stockport. Rather than aiming for a detailed, representational image, his focus was on capturing the mood and energy of the scene—the movement of trains, the interplay of light against the red brick, and the contrast between the man-made structure and the ever-changing sky.

Using bold, textured brushstrokes, Chaz’s interpretation of the viaduct leans into the dramatic shifts in light and weather, making it a dynamic part of the landscape rather than a static landmark. His work follows in the tradition of artists like Lowry but with a modern, expressive twist that emphasizes movement and atmosphere.

See the Viaduct at The Springfield House Gallery

Chaz’s Stockport Viaduct paintings are now part of his collection at The Springfield House Gallery, where they sit alongside other works that explore the urban and architectural character of Stockport and Manchester.

Want to see them in person? Book an appointment to visit the gallery.