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Inspiration from Artists Week 55 : Sylvia Wishart and Norman Thelwell.
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Posted
I stand corrected Jenny 😊. Must say I wasn’t sure what she used in mixed media works. Where is the article to be found as I would like to read it? It’s interesting to read she threw so many media into one painting! Clearly not a lady for less is more! I have see some of these really large pieces in Orkney museum recently , they really are beautiful
Posted
Norman Thelwell (1923 - 2004) was an English cartoonist, born in Cheshire, and best known for his humorous illustrations of children and their ponies.
He was constantly drawing as a child and his love of the countryside was fostered by childhood visits to a north Wales farm, strengthening throughout his life. He spent WWII in the East Yorkshire Regiment, having signed up at the age of 18. During his army days he always carried a sketchbook and became art editor of an army magazine in New Delhi.
In 1944 he took evening classes in art at Nottingham School of Art, followed by a degree at Liverpool College of Art. He went on to teach design and illustration but gave this up to go freelance in 1956. He contributed to the satirical magazine Punch, leading to a 25 year relationship, resulting in more than 1500 cartoons. His first pony cartoon was published in 1953 and, by accident, led to a lifetime association with the image of the little girl and the fat hairy pony. The response from readers to this first pony cartoon was such that they phoned the editor asking for more. At first he wasn’t too keen, and struggled to come up with enough ideas, but gradually dreamed up more. The response was again overwhelming - and the ‘Thelwell pony’ was born!
As a cartoonist his subjects were wide ranging and included fishing, gardening, house hunting and restoration, dogs and cats, farming and country pursuits. He was also a serious landscape artist in both oils and watercolour. In all he wrote 34 books on various subjects, which sold over 2 million copies in the UK alone.
The following illustrations are a few of my favourites from two of his books which I’ve had since my schooldays.
Edited
by Jenny Harris
Posted
A brilliant artist. I love his pen and ink and his landscapes. Here's a few I like...
...below...'I warned you about fishpaste sandwiches.'
Below, a Norfolk Farmstead...
I'd forgotten about this artist. A while back I did a sketch of Lady Godiva riding a fat horse with short legs. Somebody said it reminded them of Thelwell, so I renewed my acquaintance with his wonderful work. (By the way, he's not the only artist to draw fat horses with short legs.)
...below...'I warned you about fishpaste sandwiches.'
Below, a Norfolk Farmstead...
I'd forgotten about this artist. A while back I did a sketch of Lady Godiva riding a fat horse with short legs. Somebody said it reminded them of Thelwell, so I renewed my acquaintance with his wonderful work. (By the way, he's not the only artist to draw fat horses with short legs.)
Posted
I have always loved his cartoons, not just because of the humour or the horses but the actual background itself is a landscape painting. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of him as a landscape artist but he is and a really fine one too.
A selection of both cartoon and landscape demonstrating just how skilled he is I love the boat one and hope to find a lees blurred copy. Big thanks Jenny I have a new landscape painting hero.
Posted
I always loved his fat pony and children drawings! Having two daughters and a granddaughter who all learnt to ride, so went through all of the above, including the Thelwell birthday cards and jigsaws, which are still very much available.
Not sure that I realised he also painted landscapes etc, which are also very pleasing and skilled. I will investigate further.
I particularly like the ‘show him exactly what you would like him to do’ trio in Jenny’s selection!
Great fun.
Great backgrounds. 
