Ian Mitchell’s vibrant digital work celebrates the British landscape. This exhibition refl ects the distinctive and varied coastline along the the British North East Coast.

Ian’s ideas come to him on ‘reference gathering’ walks during which he takes many photographs. Back at the studio, he then uses a computer to create digital drawings for these ‘Linescape’ prints. Working from his studio in Staithes on the North Yorkshire coast, he strips back his designs, simplifying the landscape using fl at colour to capture the essence of a place. Ian draws by hand using a stylus pen and graphics software, well suited to create the smooth, lines and distilled shapes that characterise his work, reminiscent of Art Deco travel posters and Modernist design styles from the early 20th century.

“Using my original sketches and photographs, I refi ne and reduce the source material down to minimalist forms and shapes. Discarding clutter and using artistic licence as I go.”

Ian’s works have always been concerned with the representation of ‘natural’ landscapes but over time he has become increasingly interested in the human-made. He has been drawn to large-scale, modern infrastructure, harbours and coastal defences. Water is another key theme that particularly interest him. He often gets ‘lost’ in the meditative drawing process, and the results can be very calming and peaceful.