ALAN Hardcastle’s major exhibition at the Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse, brings the landscape of Yorkshire into fine focus.

Alan, who grew up in Halifax and now lives in Bradford, has titled the show Roots, Tracks and Waterways.

There are some excellent tree studies, with fine drawing skills displayed in Tangled Roots.

His paintings of trackways, like Trackway in Autumn (oil) and Autumn Sun (oil) are subtly lit and delightfully evocative, whether in dappled sunlight or shade. Aisle of Trees (oil) is another convincing autumnal study, while Clearing Mist (oil) has lots of atmosphere.

The artist’s charcoal studies, like Morning Mist and Old Trackway, are also successful. Old Trackway in Snow (oil) demonstrated a high degree of realism, while his Dark Trackway (pastel) is hauntingly inviting.

The two centrepieces of the show are dramatic 6ft vertical panels, Magical Rill (oil) and Lock (oil). Other waterways studies abound in the exhibition, like Bates Bridge with Redundant Lock and Queen Street Bridge (Huddersfield).

There are brooding impressions of moonlit locks in oil and pastel, contrasting with the brightly lit Spring Lock and Narrow Canal in the falling snow. The River Colne near Golcar (watercolour with charcoal) has an industrial aspect.

After the storm (oil) with its dark clods, drystone walls and fields, forms a typical Yorkshire scene with delightful lighting. Edge of the Moor and Walking the Dogs (oil) with its derelict farmhouse, use texture impressively.

Joyce Miller, in a preview says: “This is northern realism, where grey is many colours, and where the change from green and then to brown is imperceptible, along with the ever-present heavy Yorkshire skies.”

Alan has exhibited in different parts of the country. Some people might remember his work from the Kirklees Open show at Huddersfield Art Gallery back in 1978 and at the Gable End Studio at Huddersfield in 1983.

The exhibition runs until June 20 (closed Wednesday and Sundays).

r THREE artists are involved in a multi-media exhibition at All Souls Church, Halifax, and the Bankfield Museum, Halifax, which starts with a preview on Sunday from 1pm to 3.30pm.

The exhibition, titled Going and Returning (Itus et Reditus) is firmly based on the buildings where it takes place; linking with the surrounding area and locations like All Souls Vicarage, All Souls Burial Ground and Akroydon Model Village.

The artists involved are Andrew Darke, Pam Day and Jonathan Adamson, with a site specific exhibition of sculpture, drawing, photograph and time-based media.

The exhibition at All Souls runs from June 9 to 14 (closed Monday) and then Saturdays only to July 18. The Bankfield Museum part opens from June 9 to July 18 (closed Mondays).

Opening times at both sites Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 4pm.

r THE popular annual Art and Craft Exhibition at St Paul’s Church, Armitage Bridge, opened yesterday and continues today 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm and tomorrow 10am to 5pm.

Fifteen per cent of sales are donated to the church. Refreshments are available.

r JOHN Laycock’s Frames and Galleries, off Leeds Road (near PC World) is playing host to an exhibition by three artists, Geof Hickey, Tony Burton and Robert Bindloss. The show runs until July 4.

r HIPPERHOLME and Lightcliffe Art Society holds its annual meeting on Tuesday, when it will discuss next year’s programme.

On Wednesday, the group will meet at 2pm at Harold Park, Low Moor, for its first outdoor painting session of the season.

Bruce Mulcahy will give a gouache demonstration at the group’s meeting on June 16 at Brighouse Rest Centre on Park Row, where it meets every Tuesday evening.

Details of all the meetings on 01484 713624.