Neil Clarke is a landscape artist from Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Observational drawing is a very important part of Neil’s work, aiming to capture the unique character and beauty of the Peak District area. He prefers to produce landscape paintings out on site where possible, the end result of working ‘en plein air’ being a looser, more spontaneous approach becoming one with the scenery – painting almost subconsciously. Neil has been producing paintings of Derbyshire towns and buildings for about forty years, each painting eventually becoming a closely observed record of place in time before the inevitable changes occur that can affect the character of a place.

After completing a Foundation Course in Art & Design at the former Derby College of Higher Education, he spent three wonderfully creative years studying for a degree in graphic design at Norwich School of Art (1981-84). In 1985, with the support of his parents and the MSC Enterprise Allowance Scheme, he started out as a self-employed visual artist and furniture designer/maker. He also worked as a part-time adult education tutor for Derbyshire County Council teaching painting and drawing skills.’