AN ARTIST whose work portrays many favourite places in Ryedale has opened a new exhibition.

David Birtwhistle is featuring over 50 of his paintings work at Nunnington Hall this autumn.

Based in Worcester, David works primarily in watercolour, and is well-known for his picturesque depictions of historic architecture and landscapes.

The son of a Methodist minister, David was educated at Kingswood School, Bath, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and was apprenticed as a block printmaker to artist Graham Clarke. He studied etching at Falmouth School of Art under Bryan Ingham after he had travelled in Italy, where he sold his first drawings.

Since his first exhibition, in Greenwich in 1970, his work has appeared in galleries up and down the land, in his own exhibitions and with societies such as the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours and the Society of Architect-Artists of which he was a Fellow.

David has undertaken commissions for many distinguished clients and his watercolours have been reproduced as cards, prints and calendars. He has continued to work with clients such as the National Trust developing his depictions of historic architecture and landscape.

Spending many years travelling around the country driven by his passion for drawing and painting, many of the works portrays iconic views of places enjoyed by him and his family, including the Grand Hotel and Spa Bridge in Scarborough, Canterbury Cathedral and the Radcliffe Camera building in Oxford.

Much of his collection also includes Yorkshire favourites and National Trust places including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Nunnington Hall and Rievaulx Terrace.

Visitors to the exhibition can view the large display of original work, showing various themes and inspiration, alongside a selection of limited edition prints.

The painting collection captures each place at a different point of the year; the meadow flowers in spring, the changing colours of autumn, or the crisp white snow of winter.

Laura Kennedy, visitor experience manager at Nunnington Hall, said: “It’s a real pleasure to host David’s work for the first time at Nunnington Hall this autumn. All 50 paintings on display have been inspired by his travels across the country, mostly landscapes and buildings. David has been a regular visitor to Yorkshire over the years to draw and paint in the local area including Kirkham Priory, York, Scarborough and Helmsley.”

The exhibition is on display until Sunday, November 4, and normal admission prices apply.

Nunnington Hall is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 5pm. For more information phone 01439 748283 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington-hall.