Free VIRTUAL EXHIBITION of original plein air paintings.

 Virtual Exhibition - Howardian Hills

Click the link to enter the virtual exhibition.

Leisure Painter, October issue.

Fascinating issue full of great articles, very inspiring with an  excellent  marketplace (:o)

All books anvailable from my online shop.

Calendar 2026 - John Geekie Art

 

Another A3 calendar for the discerning. Full of original oil paintings, one per month. Paintings are from the previous year and have nor been published before. Many people buy these calendars to cut out and frame the paintings which are all approximately A4 landscape orientation. I am super excited to offer this high quality calendar which comprises 13 sheets on good quality paper, designed to be wall hanging.

Short video and ONLINE store link to come.

Contact me to pre-order as I have reduced the print run to 100. I will reserve copies on a first contact basis. The cost is held at £15. Invoiced only when calendar posted or collected.

In the meantime why not try my online store

 

Yorkshire Wolds Sketchbook

 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. 

 

I am working on a more comprehensive book which will feature original paintings in oil 

and those completed using an ipad. Look out for it. 

This book of sketches has a limited edition of 200 which includes free copies for 

local school libraries as well as some complimentary copies for people met when at the various sites. 

 

Available from my online shop. 

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

Short video here. 

Front cover

 

 

 

Front cover showing spine.

  

Sample of a double page spread.

 

How to make you own open air artists PAINT BOX.

          Plein Air Painter, tips and advice.

I have had two international students visit me whom I took out for one to one painting supervision. 

Their aim being to produce a painting of a landscape.

 They both succeeded and when they left I gave them each a copy of my book, PLEIN AIR PAINTER. 

This was written with the prime intention of giving instructions about making your own paint box easel known 

as a pochade box. I have devised a fail proof, tested method of construction and detailed assembly 

notes in the book. 

However, I have had feedback about how helpful the tips and advice are as well.

 So, if you have your own pochade box and need to know about canvas preparation,

 mixing paint, checking layout etc you will find this book helpful.

Available from my online store.

ISBN978-1-7395713-0-6

Collectors art book of Beverley and the Low Wolds.

Collectors ART book.

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

Available here

Holme on the Wolds from Winter to Autumn a short animation.

 

Video of animation here Please share.

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

Etton, and Holderness Hunt kennels.

Had a lovely morning at Etton today drawing another concertina sketch. Added colour to the pen and ink sketch finishing finer detail back at home. I walked around trying to get a view of the old wall and the main house building. This view, if you zoom in, shows the old wall to the left of the complex.

Wonderful meeting with N and D and later C. Bracken stood quietly and hiding his head. George lay at my feet as I stood in the shade. It occurred to me that these panoramic sketches could be used for a calendar. Normally I have them printed A3 portrait but this year I think they are going to be landscape orientation while retaining the A3 footprint. Watch out for details.

Please visit my online store where original art, books and prints can be purchased.

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

Holderness Hunt Kennels, Etton.

 Thursday 7th August 25

Pen and ink watercolour wash from concertina sketchbook.

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

Pillar and Pillar Rock, English Lake District.

 One of my favourite paintings. Pillar and Pillar Rock. I produced this painting from sketches made Green Gable after walking up from Moses Trod. Pillar, to this day is tricky to climb in one day. It is remote majestic, mysterious and moody. I have only made it to Looking Stead on the lower slopes,  perhaps without dogs it would be easier. William Heaton Cooper whom I met briefly and talked with when staying in Grasmere painted Pillar  as a watercolour. His father Alfred Heaton Cooper also painted a beautiful version in oils featuring a shepherd and sheep. Here is my homage to both these hero’s of mine and my own love of the Lakes.

Available here. Click to see more details.

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

Thixendale harvest.

I love this painting taken from a sketchbook and painted at home. It is oil on stretched canvas 30 x 24 inches.

I am standing high above the Fotherdale valley looking down at a seasonal scene. The post harvest time of bale collection is going on. A contractor, COLLEY, 

has driven onto the field and now loaded with bales is due to set off. The ghost lines in the field indicate the movements of the tractor used for loading the trailers.

It represents a special moment. The culmination of a year planning, growing and harvesting. Bales can be see in a higher field waiting to be taken away. A kite appears.  I can see the dew pond below at the start of Long Dale. I can see the ash trees near the pond, now sadly removed. I like the fact that the painting records they were there.

Available from my online store Shipping costs to follow.

Also, my limited first edition book about to be re-published, still available

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

Video preview 

This book is an exemplar of layout and production quality - please see an evaluation and review below. 

Please click this link for a more detailed review.

ON SALE

Don’t miss out 

 go to my online store 

HERE 

As the artist I can include a hand written dedication inside the book. 

THIS FIRST EDITION IS A LIMITED 

print run and will be sought after in years to come.

Beverley from the Hurn 2015.

 An older original painting of Beverley.

I have heard stories of jockeys being thrown in after a disappointing ride.

I remember it well, I wanted to paint ponds and knew there was a pond on the Westwood inside the Hurn. I walked over with my canvas and French easel on a cold day in winter. The pond was very low, it had some plant growth covering the surface, though it was easily discernible. I could also see BEVERLEY Minster and Saint Mary’s Church Beverley in the distance. Also in the distance was a white block of buildings or rather one building which turned out to be the old BEVERLEY Arms Hotel. The white block is now demolished being sympathetically replaced by the present owners Daniel Thwaites. I remember the time when it was owned by Trust House Forte who provided bottomless cups of coffee. One dear waitress ‘Betty’ will always be remembered as someone we came to think of as a friend. The TH staff wore smart jackets and pin striped trousers. The view takes me back to those times.

Available here

Original post

Tuesday 27^th January 2015

I had heard that the weather is to be much colder tomorrow and that the rest of the week is to be bad, with Artic winds on Saturday. The western USA and Canadian coasts are standing by as freezing temperatures and heavy snow are due soon. Therefore I decided to attempt my first oil plein air since before Christmas.
When walking George on the Hurn, the enclosed pasture inside the racecourse, I had seen  an old pond, heavily overgrown with deep squelchy imprints, reflecting use by,
 the previous year’s, cows and sheep. Speaking to elderly Beverley residents I have been told the pond provided a home for newts and frogs in the past. As the pond often disappears, especially in the summer, this is less likely now. I set up the French easel near the pond looking over to St. Mary’s Church with Beverley Minster to the right hand side. The tower of St. Nicholas could also be seen though not so prominently. The sun came out providing some lovely light yet a little problematic when painting as I could not shade the canvas. I found that I was a little rusty and struggled more than usual with the easel. Having sorted everything I sketched the scene onto the canvas. Adding thinned paint first the sky, cerulean blue / titanium white, followed by lemon yellow / cerulean blue / French ultramarine for the grass under painting. I looked over to my left and saw three skylarks flitting around, two in particular seemed to be pairing up? Farther away, rooks and gulls were walking through the grass looking for food. This area is also popular with dog walkers and I was surprised and delighted to see a fawn briard. I trotted over and had a chat with the owner, the briard was huge. George is black and had had his long walk before I started painting. Whilst painting several dogs run over to say hello and have a pat. I am not sure if I will add some minor detail at home as the exposed site with strong winds made detailing difficult.

Happy New Year to everyone.

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

Post Harvesting Hestons near Etton.

Near Etton West Wood Farm

Click, enlarge full height and slowly scroll across

This is one of a series of wide concertina sketches I hope to do over August. I am finding this little project fascinating. The sketch is made firstly using a pen then watercolour wash is added. I add the watercolour at the venue mostly though sometimes I need to finesse them at home. I now appreciate that the ‘eye’ sees much more than the usual proportions of a painting. The eye is more aware of peripheral vision than I thought. With these sketches the eye sees everything as it would at the site. More questions regarding perspective are worth exploring I think but that will be another time. My notion is to produce a book of these views in the form of a sketchbook itself. Keep visiting for more on this. 

This will follow up my first book of sketches which is available here..

Detail 1

Detail 2

Detail
***************************************

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

Hollyhocks at the allotment

 Large acrylic painting 100cm x 80cm on stretched canvas.

This is another painting using only three colours,  blue, yellow and red with titanium white. Took the canvas down to the allotment and drew the outline with a marker pen. Then home to add colour.

Available at my ONLINE STORE.

ART Book, LOW WOLDS of Yorkshire

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

This book is an exemplar of layout and production quality - please see an evaluation and review below. 

Please click this link for a more detailed review.

ON SALE

Don’t miss out 

 go to my online store 

HERE 

As the artist I can include a hand written dedication inside the book. 

THIS FIRST EDITION IS A LIMITED 

print run and will be sought after in years to come.

Garden animation, winter to summer.

The garden is looking lovely.

Here is a short video showing it developing from winter to summer.

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

Thixendale demonstration for Hutton Cranswick art group.

The painting with a little more detail added.

Hi everyone, this is a large canvas produced for the Hutton Cranswick Art Group. I took the canvas along with one or two outlines sketched in and the point of the demonstration was to show how we could create a painting using just three colours plus white the colours were French ultramarine, yellow, and red. Before we started, I showed the group how it was possible to skill up a sketch without using a ruler or a grid. I have added some details, a little bit more in the sky, some grasses in the foreground et cetera once home and produced a little video for the group to watch. 

Just saw this photo in a newspaper and thought it may help you understand what I was saying about clouds  getting smaller as they go down the sky. Of course this is to do with distance, the clouds are actually a similar size. Also, consider making the sky and clouds paler as they recede towards the horizon. Of course, at dawn and sunset the horizon colours can be amazing… but that is for another day.

It was a lovely day surrounded by a lovely people creating art. Here is a link to a short video to help people finish off and to also maybe help others.

Also, lastly, go to my blog and look at some videos. I think the iPad videos which can be paused to help you maybe copy the drawing will be helpful as well as entertaining. 

Video link of the THIXENDALE painting  here 

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

An art collectors book.

My book explaining how I approach PLEIN AIR PAINTING includes a comprehensive guide showing how I work. It also is a memoir, a journal with comments accompanying paintings describing the serendipitous. This is part one, featuring the Low Wolds of Yorkshire, familiar to many from when David Hockney painted here. Part two - soon to be published features the HIGH WOLDS.

Available here, at this time it is on special offer.

Beverley and the LOW WOLDS, SUMPTIOUS art book.

 

My book explaining how I approach PLEIN AIR PAINTING includes a comprehensive guide showing how I work. It also is a memoir, a journal with comments accompanying paintings describing the serendipitous. This is part one, featuring the Low Wolds of Yorkshire, familiar to many from when David Hockney painted here. Part two - soon to be published features the HIGH WOLDS.

Available here, at this time it is on special offer.

Wassand Hall - the magical lake ( print available)

What a beautiful, small pond this is. It is quite long and winds its way, surrounded by tree, near the access road to Wassand Hall. On entry, turning right through a gate which leads to the woodland walk, one passes the pond. At first glance, it looks small. Yet it extends for some distance. In the spring bluebells can be seen, daffodils little later on, and of course, some interesting tree specimens. I like this particular view, with no sky shown, it seems enclosed entirely by trees and is a very pleasing spot to stop and think.

Available here

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

Beverley Minster ( print available)

 

 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.

Available here

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

St. Mary’s Church from the Westwood, Beverley ( Print available)

 

Waterclour sketch 22 x 15 inch

I went over to the Westwood, how fortunate we are to have this on our doorstep, to walk George. The ground is drying out a little,  the weak the sun helping. I took the dog biscuits for the variety of corvus and soon had companions on the walk. They fly and land to my side,  I throw them a biscuit. A little routine. Then they will land on the path in front of me, and I repeat the process. Among them are a couple with whitish wings. Perhaps a little smaller than the others and I try to make sure they get a biscuit. I am half expecting them to bark! I saw this view of St. Mary's when returning to the car and thought it was worth getting down. So I returned and did this quick sketch. It is different somehow, slightly more of St. Mary's tower showing perhaps. Of course, now I remember, some very large mature coniferous trees have recently been removed from a house on Westwood Road. I am sure that explains it.  I have coloured the sky quickly and, I hope, dramatically  enhance the church tower. I like the way the old gatehouse seems to emerge from the pasture, seems appropriate in a way, as it is spring now. If you are passing, look into the garden, you may spot something unusual. We appreciate the water bowl which is placed outside, for the benefit of the many dogs who walk past. On the way back to the car I was delighted to observe a cluster of anemones, in flower, my first of the year.

Available here at my online store.

********

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