“What is drawing for? Why are we tempted to do it at all?”

ONE could ask also ask why it is that one artist becomes better known than another? David Gentleman is less known than many contemporaries, less valued in money terms for sure, and yet he has perhaps influenced more ordinary people in everyday life and planted as much graphic joy in unlikely places as anyone.

Stamps? Shakespearian book covers? Anti-war posters? Lowery-esque paintings of small figures on Primrose Hill? And, maybe his masterpiece,  Charing Cross station. Why, or why, can other train stations not be designed with the flair and imagination of a Charing Cross?

Gentleman trained with another overlooked British artist in Edward Bawden.

Here is both a chronological record of his work and also some encouraging captions for anyone who might have thought to pick up a pen or pencil.

An inspirational gift for anyone interested in art, old or young.