Sketchbook of pen and ink washes of Yorkshire views

Artist's sketchbook featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, by John Geekie.

I have been painting and sketching landscapes for many 

years and have been asked about publishing some of my sketches.

Here is a simple book, printed to represent a sketchbook with over seventy pages of double page spreads. 

It is a high quality book with laminated cover and shrink wrapped  thus ensuring pristine quality.

 I have left my shorthand colour notes on most of the sketches which will be of interest

 to plein air artists, landscape artists in particular. 

It also will interest Wolds Way walkers who will recognize some of the places. 

These sketches are mainly from a concertina sketchbook, the views being four pages wide. 

They have been proportionally reduced to fit the A5 landscape format. Full colour throughout. 

  

Quote from a  friend, who was facing great adversity  “A treasured book which I keep beside my bed” 

£25 incl p+p

Email me your address and I will post a copy

Also, you can see a very short video of the book, see below, 

Short video here. 

Front cover

 

 

 

Front cover showing spine.

  

I am so sad to hear about David.

 David Hockney and I met some years ago when he was working in the Wolds. I remember the meeting very well, we were both at Castle Howard. David eating an ice cream on a hot day. As I was also painting in the Wolds in the open air, we talked about many aspects of seeing, looking, the truth and honesty of a painting. We also talked about photography. I have being dreading the ultimate news and today I want to say how I considered him a friend. When a friend passes we lose a little of ourselves. This view is an iPad sketch of the Thixendale Dale path. David spent some time here with JP. The painting will show the area from January to December as an animation. It will be dedicated to my friend.

Bishop Burton where toads cross short ANIMATION

 

Floral art, peony ( 'Sarah Bernhardt'), a quick study.

Bought a bunch of peony and played around with the idea of a simple exercise, to use just blue yellow and red with a little white, and a big brush. The top used NO blue so I had to resort to using a viridian. The lower painting is the same group after they opened magnificently. Both are really quick sketches as opposed to paintings I would usually do. Also, of course they are ‘still life’. For these I used acrylic paint.

The canvas is large102 x81 cm.

 Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout. It is both a technical guide and an artists collectors work.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a 

concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches.

 It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. 

This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves 

the countryside. 

The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied 

by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made 

directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

Beverley Minster - print

This is a print from a large half imperial watercolour 22 x 15” approx. It was done over several visits and shows the organ with the Quire entrance. The print is available £25 including postage and packaging. If interested send me an email.
 

Norwood House

 I did a lot of pen and ink sketches of Beverley scenes years ago. Here is Norwood House from when it was used as the sixth form block. I remember having Joint Sixth staff meetings there. Thought this may remind some of my old sixth form about when they were there.

Sledmere House walled garden

 

Corner of the Walled garden at Sledmere House

27th May 2026

After visiting Thixendale to add to an iPad painting I drove over to Sledmere House. Recent changes regarding opening times are now in effect. Also, a new car park has opened which leads to the children’s play area and animal enclosure, both of which are now free. Previously, these areas were provided as part of the entrance fee. The BIG improvement however features the newly modified and extended shop area which includes a small coffee shop. This is open 7 days a week. It will be of great interest to cyclists especially. The main house is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. This means that Saturday will be available for weddings. In this time of change sometimes we may feel we are having less choice. I think Sledmere has had a difficult task. They need to be viable to survive and I think the overall changes made are a good balance. Weddings income will hopefully develop and effectively to some extent ‘sponsor’ other provision. I popped in today with the intention of painting in the walled garden. I walked over the road ( maybe a zebra crossing would help here) and made my way to the walled garden. Inside I saw familiar staff working hard as usual with planting and securing plants to wire frames. The wisteria walk is magnificent. The alliums are superbly presented, the sheer mass of them producing an awesome sight. I would strongly recommend a visit. With continual re-planting and dead heading the flower borders provide great interest well into the autumn. For allotment growers the vegetable garden is a must visit place. I found a quiet place near the far red gate at the end of the wisteria walk. Looking over towards the hidden pond I could see the yew arch. I decided this was an interesting aspect and started painting. I am beginning to get a little collection of walled garden views which will hopefully feature in a book of herbaceous borders.

14x10 inch, oil on canvas. Available - email me for details.

Thixendale - a growing painting

 

Traveled towards Thixendale stopping at the footpath opposite the dew pond which leads into Thixendale. I went to add the hawthorn to an iPad painting. It arrives much later than elsewhere locally. The hillside is in the shade until early afternoon and the elevation makes temperatures a little lower. There was just enough hawthorn flower to add to my painting which I intend to continue working on until the end of the year, with the idea of then producing a time lapse painting video. Click image to see it larger.

Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout. It is both a technical guide and an artists collectors work.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches. It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves the countryside. The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

Beverley Minster entrance to Quire

 Well, this was a bit of fun. Popped into the Minster and just got to hear the ending of musical session, the last of the early music long weekend. It was delightful sitting outside listening,. Thought I’d do a quick sketch had no paper, so did this on the back of an A5 pamphlet. Got HOME scanned it, and then added colour. So it’s all a bit experimental. The music was provided by a talented group called RUNE.

South Dalton print direct to your door.

 South Dalton... pretty in print.

Hi everyone, here is a beautiful A3 sized print. It shows the Main Street in South Dalton and was drawn ( without layers ) on an iPad. It is one of a growing set of iPad sketches. Hope you like it. It is available by emailing me. I will post it to you, with an invoice payable by bank transfer. The print has been produced by professional printers on good quality paper.

Plein air landscapes using a Concertina Sketchbook

Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout. It is both a technical guide and an artists collectors work.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches. It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves the countryside. The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

Thixendale

 This is a short version of an animation which will cover a year at Thixendale. This short version was started in January and includes some February.

Dandelion memory at Burdale

Quick watercolour sketch. 

Trying to preserve a memory of seeing swathes of dandelion in a field at Burdale. Earlier had been using the iPad at Thixendale where I met lovely people who walked the valley path.

**************

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Tulip study

Original watercolour study of tulips. Here I was concentrating on the flower heads which are varied in presentation. The size of the painting is approximately half imperial, 15x22 inches, on heavyweight paper. It represents one of a series of studies of tulips.

£75 incl p+p.

Email me if you would like to own this original art.

**************

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Beverley Minster lunchtime concert.

 

Popped into BeverleyMinster to see Adam Davies who was presenting a short lunchtime programme of piano works. Lovely to meet him and to hear him playing. I liked the way he gave every note ‘time’. Check him out on the Devine Art record label. He has recently worked on a project to play the complete works of Anthony Hedges which will be out in the summer. I knew Anthony and love his music, so will try and get hold of a copy.

Prints of BEVERLEY Minster And ART books by John Geekie.

   

I love this print. It shows Beverley Minster across an open field, Hallgate, often used in the summer to graze cattle. A wonderful bucolic scene reminding us of a time past when the Minster was more closely linked to the farming community reinforcing its Market Town associations. This is a pen and ink sketch made at the site, I stood with an A3 piece of Bristol card, very smooth and ideal for pen and ink. Later, I added a watercolour wash. I remember the yellow van passing and quickly added it. Printed on A3 paper which will fit a standard A3 frame or, it looks good in a larger A2 frame with a suitable mount.

Also, this beautiful print made from a special watercolour painting.

Both prints are available by emailing me - see above.

Also, here are a couple of my art books.

Video preview 

A sumptuous art book explaining how I work, full of illustrations. 

This limited first edition is already in the process of revision. 

This book will be a significant addition to any artists library.  ISBN 978-1-7395713-1-3

£35

Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches. It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves the countryside. The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

This is a unique, supremely desirable publication.

Comprehensive introduction

Burdale

Lane south of South Dalton

 

Detailed methodology

Southburn

The Pipe and Glass Inn from Dalton Park

Arram, looking towards Beverley.

I am using the concertina sketchbook on a lovely warm sunny day. Having stopped to watch a train pass I crossed the line and parked. I walked a short distance along the Minster Way footpath and saw this view of a distant Beverley Minster. I recall seeing the film, Lease of Life with Robert Donat playing a vicar. In the film which used Beverley and Lund in particular there was at one time a distant view of the Minster. This gets close. I remember when at Beverley Grammar School, we walked all the school into town, to the Playhouse Cinema to watch the film. It did not suit an oil painting so the concertina sketchbook came out. With this I could include the some of the buildings of Crowtree Farm on the left. A fence cast shadows in a paddock, the adjacent field rather less managed with umbels, longer tussocks of grass and dandelion seed heads. I sketched with pencil before adding watercolour. The warm sunny helped progress by drying the paint quickly. All done in situ. When walking back to my car I was very pleased to meet and have a chat with the occupants of Crowtree Farm, who told me how they can see the Humber Bridge from the house.

__________________________________________________________

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Salts Mill visit - sketches

 

Looking over the loud weirs towards Salts Mill

Shopping area inside the Mill, wonderful books for sale

The main ground floor, super selection of art materials and books

Travelled by train which proved easier arriving than returning. The Mill is adjacent to the tiny station at Saltaire. My interest in art and the work of David Hockney makes visiting an absolute joy. It is a place to spend a day just perusing the wide range of items for sale, to see David’s work, including video walls and to take advantage of the in-house food provision. Before catching the return train to Leeds I walked down to the park crossing the canal and river. A Wonderful day. These are sketches made using my 5.6mm Koh-I-Noor pencil with watercolour wash. The pencil was bought from one of the Mill shops.

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Tophill Low reserve

Quick impression in a sketchbook of the view from a hide on my first visit to Tophill. Saw a frog (;o). What a wonderful place to visit, I heard my first cuckoo and saw a female goosander on one of the reservoirs. From the hide I could see a variety of geese, a swan, tufted duck and moorhen. In front of the hide were twigs placed for kingfishers which, on this visit remained elusive.

Hope to return and do some paintings of the site, plus birds of course.

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Londesborough Church on a bright sunny day.

A very convoluted day, found me at Londesborough. The weather was bright sun though a cold easterly found me seeking a windbreak. I walked into the churchyard and discovered a sheltered corner. I set up quickly and this is the result. Londesborough is a fascinating place with significant historical importance. Londesborough Hall had been, in the past a magnificent building. 

14x10 inch - oil on canvas board.

£175

___________________________________________________________

Published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook 

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Park Lane woodland tunnel, South Dalton

20th April 2026. This is a view looking back towards Dalton Park. This road is known as Park Road and leads away from Dalton Park. It passes through a wood which is very dark even on the brightest day. I saw some bluebells and white flowering garlic. So I stopped and painted. As I painted all was quiet except for birdsong then I met a gamekeeper whom I first met  some time ago. We had a pleasant chat about the weather, the birds singing and how lovely it was at this time of year. Just before he stopped and came across, an hare emerged from the left-hand side of the Wood ( Nut Balks) onto the road. It stopped at the edge and sat up. I have indicated him in the picture I carried on painting and was surprised to see another hare emerge from the same spot and cross the road. All the time I’m painting birds call. Occasionally a very large field spraying vehicle squeezed past as I stood painting.

Available by contacting me via email. 14x10 inch oil on canvas board, £175.

_________________________________________________________________________

Published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook 

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p