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Gallery: Artist draws Birmingham from memory

A brilliant self-taught artist sketches entire cities from memory.

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Carl Lavia, from London, plans on drawing every official city in the UK after recently completing Birmingham.

The project, which took him three weeks, saw Carl fully immerse himself in the city before starting the cityscape.

The 44-year-old will now tackle Manchester before moving on to Edinburgh, with the artist having to 'live' in the city before being able to draw an accurate sketch.

Carl said: "I take trips on public transport to get different vantage points.

"I like to familiarise myself with the city beforehand and visit various areas.

"I'm a keen runner, so I'll often plot a route and use my phone or camera to take pictures on the way.

"It's a very hands-on and immersive experience."

Carl starting drawing when he was five, and has been compelled to sketch ever since.

He added: "I was sketching imaginary cities at a very early age.

"Now, when each panel is complete I feel a huge sense of accomplishment."

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