ILKLEY based landscape artist Lucia Smith is to host a series of drop-in sessions at the Flying Duck in Church Street, Ilkley, next week when she will be exhibiting pictures from her new print collection “Location: Le Tour” for the first time, whilst also helping budding artists to create their own Wharfedale masterpiece.

Lucia will be demonstrating some of her soft pastel techniques, explaining the processes behind her contemporary dales artworks and encouraging interested parties of all ages to pick up a pastel and have a go themselves.

Wharfedale Brewery’s technical director Stewart Ross will also be on hand to talk about the artistry of his beers and help visitors to relax with a pint.

Lucia said: “Having lived most of my life in Ilkley, I have always loved the Yorkshire Dales, their timelessness, their hugeness – how solid they feel under our varying skies; the route that the Tour de France is taking through Wharfedale follows the very contours which inspire me to paint.

"It’s possible that the cyclists, the massive audience and the TV cameras might not have time to stop and look and soak up the scenery – but I have been out with a map, studying the routes, the ascents and the descents! My new works celebrate the awesome backdrop for this exciting event and most of the compositions include at least a glimpse of the route."

The exhibition is one of the official Yorkshire Festival Fringe events and takes place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between noon and 3pm. Entry is free though there is a nominal charge for participants to cover material costs, with any proceeds being donated to the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks charity project.