TOP Huddersfield artist David Blackburn is now a film star!

He's the subject of a new DVD.

The disc is released to tie in with his latest exhibition at the Hart Gallery in Islington, North London, which opened yesterday.

And it gives a new and unique insight into David, and the way he works.

Produced by film maker Colin Still, of Optic Nerve Productions, it includes an interview with the poet Simon Armitage and words from art experts.

David's exhibition continues until March 29.

His paintings are inspired by his walks around Huddersfield's moorland and fetch thousands of pounds.

The DVD, priced £12 from the Hart Gallery, has footage of David at work in his Huddersfield studio - a process that he usually keeps private.

He talks about Constable and Turner as Britain's two greats of landscape painting and describes and explains how he creates his own pastel-on-paper work.

"It's metamorphosis," he says. "It's not representing what's there in front of you, it's something inside my head."

Commenting that he feels that often painting has lost its beauty, he adds: "I love the idea of intense colour, the well-crafted object."

And he talks about moorlands as a "myth-making" place, an escape from the town.

Simon Armitage describes the time he first visited David at his studio, to talk about an image he wanted to use on the front of a poetry book.

"I remember driving round that part of town, expecting some granite and chrome, some tubular steel and glass structure.

"But it's just a house. He was working in the dining room on what I presume was a kitchen table," he says.

Art critic Charlotte Mullins and historian Peter Khoroche are also filmed talking about the wonder of David's work.

Gallery owner John Hart says: "The DVD is something we wanted to do for David because his work is just stunning.

"Granada made a film about him in 1989 and he's been on BBC once or twice.

"We wanted to update that from a different angle.

"For the viewer, learning about how David is inspired, and his inner vision, all helps.

"It's like a key to a door. Once you understand his work you can read it."

He continues: "So many things today rely on quotes and instant soundbites before fading into obscurity.

"The finer things in art, music or literature require more effort, and the film helps with that."

The exhibition has about 25 new pieces, created during the past two years.

Go to www.hartgallery.co.uk or call 020 7704 1131.