IF you see an artist working outside with their easel or sketch book, are you tempted to look over their shoulder to take a peek? It is a natural curiosity to want to watch an artist at work – and more so when we can share the view that is inspiring them.

Robert Dutton is well used to onlookers, working outside in the Yorkshire Moors in all weathers. His multimedia approaches are fascinating and inspiring, and he is skilled at sharing his approaches with others. He recommends starting outdoors, immersing yourself in the wild uninhabited spaces and moors to experience at first hand the living elements.

"I feel I can only really get close to my subject by initially painting directly in front of it," he said. "I need to put myself in the viewers’ shoes so that they can read my thoughts and understand why I chose to paint the picture in the first place.’

Lucia Smith, an Ilkley artist and marketing consultant for Ilkley Art Show which takes place in Ilkley's King's Hall, on Friday 14 and Saturday 15, August, spoke to Robert in advance of his appearance there.

"With his expressive, award winning work in public, private and corporate collections throughout the UK and abroad, it is exciting that Robert will be in Ilkley this summer," she said.

"He already knows our moor well, enjoying walking a couple of miles or so beyond the ‘usual’ footpaths to wilder expanses of less frequented moorland - areas that he favours, where the sound of wind and the Curlew accompany him as he works."

Knowledge of your media, what it can do and how best to handle it are critical factors in success, and Robert is an expert with acrylic paints and enjoys their fast drying properties. His style is energetic and expressive so waiting for paint to dry does not suit his technique at all.

Robert has also won much acclaim and prestigious awards for his soft pastel work created with their immediacy of application. Often using charcoal for initial drawing, he fuses the different qualities of the materials together in an intuitive and almost lyrical way with great fluidity.

Choice of medium goes hand in hand with choice of surface – and this is particularly important when using soft pastels, which require a ‘tooth’ from the paper or board.

Canson Papers (the internationally renowned fine art paper company from France) quickly recognised Robert’s abilities as both artist and tutor to create expressive, contemporary work with ease on their papers and his skill at encouraging others to do the same. Thus Robert has recently been honoured to become an ambassador for the well-known global brand recognised for their innovative materials.

Lucia added: "We are excited to know that Robert will be bringing these wonderful new Canson papers to The Ilkley Art Show in August, and he is looking forward to demonstrating, explaining and teaching all about their useful qualities to our enthusiastic audiences."

Robert explains: "It will be great to be back in the lovely venue of Ilkley’s Kings Hall and Winter Gardens. This is where it all began for me, with some of my first successful prize winning exhibitions. It is wonderful to be returning to Ilkley as an established artist with international acclaim and I look forward to sharing inspiration at what has become an enticing regional Art Show for all who are art-interested."

Other nationally acclaimed demonstrators at the show will be Charles Evans (demonstrating watercolour for Winsor and Newton) and Tony Hogan (an expert across many medium, including Derwent pencils and pastels), as well as Yorkshire based fine art material maker, Pip Seymour.

Tickets for Ilkley Art Show will be available from The Art Shop, in Hawksworth Street, Ilkley from June. Tel: 01943 609031.