Reeth in Swaledale ~ sketch

Reading your profile, i do understand the problem of working out 'where to take' your art,' John, and I think many of us feel the same way. I can see your work being brought together in illustrated 'travel' type publications...I imagine that you have already considered this? Your material would appear ideal for a type referred to as 'Coffee table' books. Just a suggestion...It is a very competitive path for fiction writer/illustrators, but there may be more opportunity for non-fiction/illustration such as yours. Some travel writers require artists to illustrate their work. To some extent I have experience of approaching publishers with illustrated childrens' books so have some idea, though limited, of what I am talking about. Worth thinking about anyway, for what it is worth. Cheers.

Ruth Dolan ~ Thanks Ruth for your suggestions they are certainly worth giving serious consideration. I do see my style as illustrative but have long considered this a negative desperately wishing I could loosen up, alas not with a great deal of success. I have for a while been considering approaching the Yorkshire Life and Dalesman magazines with a view to perhaps doing sketches for their publications ... I think your comments have reinforced the need to do so ~ Thanks

John, I love your work and, for me, it's appeal lies in its neat, illustrative style. I also paint in watercolour in a neat way, although nowhere near as skilfully as yourself, and have given up trying to loosen up as it doesn't come naturally to me and I just get disheartened when I try. Maybe we need to stay true to our own individual styles - your work is great as it is, and I hope you soon find an outlet for it.

A lovely sketch of what seems to be a charming little Yorshire village/ town. I agree with Ruth that your work would look good in travel books / mags. Catalogues for Cottages for rent also have these type of illustrations. I live on the Lancashire side of the Pennines and pubs and gift shops often have similar work for sale. As Jenny says 'loose' is not the only way to draw and paint, it's good to see good sound drawing on the site.