The River Esk in paintings, from source to sea

John Freeman likes a river too and he's luckier than most, because when a kingfisher darts or a heron swoops he can put it down on canvas for posterity.

Now we can all share the wonderful waterside views John has witnessed in his new exhibition A Meander Down the Esk – the river in all seasons and moods, which goes on show at the Inspired by gallery at the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Centre in Danby, Whitby.

It's the result of a three year journey along his beloved river which flows through the moors, into the sea at Whitby. And to accompany the exhibition, John is launching a tome of the same name.

"For some time I've wanted to put a book together about my work, but couldn't find a peg to hang it on," he says. "John Freeman's work from aged 14 to nearly dead didn't really have much of a ring to it. Then I saw a book about the Tyne and thought that's it, I love the Esk, this is my peg."

Evening at Ruswarp by John Freeman

John moved to Whitby in 1969 and works at his Abbey Galleries studio, from where he has has created more images of the Whitby area than any other living artist.

Most are in watercolour; a medium he finds both exciting and stimulating.

"I push it a long way past where most people expect it to be," says John. "My work is stronger in intensity and detail."

There's also something of the Norwich School to John's paintings. Take Evening at Ruswarp and Daybreak over Whitby with their expansive skies and gentle hues. Then there is the amazing moonlit Esk at Glaisdale, which is surely worthy of John Crome.

The Esk at Glaisdale, by John Freeman

"With dark pieces there's a great risk of it all turning muddy," says John. "I often walk a tightrope between the intensity of dark colour and mud. People ask how I do it. The answer is I'm really not sure."

The exhibition features several striking nocturnes, including a spooky one of a bridge believed to have been built by the Knights Templars and the river at Glaisdale.

While John admits that most artists are 'consummate liars' by nature, he says the Esk series is faithful to what was seen through the lens.

"In a couple of paintings I did push back in time, in others I put a fisherman in, but I've been a bit more truthful with this series of paintings because it's paying homage to the river.

"Trying to capture the river as it is, rather than how I would like it to be was very much the remit."

It was also a disciplined exercise. A documentary, almost, of a river from source to estuary.

Herons, sketch by John Freeman

"Rather than cherry picking classical views I began to catalogue the river's different qualities along its 28 miles," says John. "That became quite a challenge and gave me a real purpose."

Not that it was all plain sailing. These are difficult riverbanks to navigate, with much of the land privately owned and parts so precipitous they're impossible to get to. However, John sought and was given permission to these areas and the result is an Esk valley that many will have never seen.

Along the way he met many people who were keen to help, including one man who told him an easily overlooked stump on the bank was actually the remnants of a fishing jetty.

"That resulted in my painting of the area being very much of Edwardian ladies helped on to a boat with their lovely big hats on and gentlemen with their celluloid collars rowing them down the river."

The book is accompanied by supporting text and, like the exhibition, comprises watercolours and pencil drawings portraying the river in all seasons, its wildlife, history, and architecture.

Dipper, sketch by John Freeman

Art lovers can also spend an evening with John on September 10, when he will give an insight into his life as an artist and tell the story behind the book.

"During my meander down the Esk, I found that the river gave me a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the medium of water colour to the full," he says. "This is a gentle river, with so many variations along the length, from a tiny stream at Westerdale to spilling out at Whitby Harbour to give some of the most famous views in the country.

"The Esk has so much to offer an artist."

• A Meander Down the Esk – the river in all seasons and moods will be opened by renowned Danby artist Peter Hicks on Saturday and runs until September 22 at the Inspired by… gallery, North Yorkshire Moors National Park Centre, Lodge Lane, Danby, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 2NB. tel: 01439 772737.

John's book will be also launched at the gallery between noon and 3pm on Saturday and he will be on hand to sign copies of the book. Over 100 small framed pencil studies will be available to buy.

The evening with John will be held on September 10 from 6.30pm. Tickets are £5, and include a glass of wine. Advance booking is essential on 01439 772737 or moorscentre@northyorkmoors.org.uk.

www.johnfreemanstudio.co.uk