ABOVE Us Only Sky, a new series of paintings by Lincolnshire artist Keith Roper, will be exhibited at Kentmere House Gallery, Scarcroft Hill, York, until June 5.

"Keith has been showing here since the 1990s but now his talents have been more widely recognised," says gallery owner Ann Petherick. "When he was invited to join the Pastel Society, a prestigious national organisation that shows at the Mall Galleries in London, he was genuinely amazed, never having thought of applying until I encouraged him.

"He has since also shown at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on several occasions and on the first occasion he sold on the opening night."

A native of Fillingham, Keith studied painting and graphic design at Lincoln College of Art in the 1960s. He takes his inspiration from the ever-changing skies and understated colours of the landscapes and estuaries of eastern England, plus York and East Yorkshire, the north east coast, the Fens and the Solent in Hampshire and occasional forays to Scotland.

In his paintings, these landscapes can be seen in a new light: quiet and subtle, but consisting of a remarkable range of colours.

Many of his paintings are landscapes of the Lincolnshire countryside and Humber estuary or townscapes of Lincoln with the cathedral as the focal point. He is also interested in the social history of Lincoln, which has changed dramatically in recent years.

“I try to create a feeling and atmosphere in the picture, using colour and the application of the paint," he says. "The sky and weather conditions are of particular importance in creating the right mood and sensitivity.”

Most of Keith’s work is in pastel, with occasional forays into oils, watercolour and gouache. “I like the fact that pastel requires no drying time and can therefore capture changing conditions," he says. "It's an instant and direct form of painting, using pure ground pigment.”

His paintings are modest and unpretentious, like the man himself, and he is the perfect example of Ann Petherick’s maxim that the best artists have to be discovered. "They are the ones who paint because they love to paint. They don’t promote themselves but are to be found quietly working away in their studios and attics, and their dedication shows in their work,” she says.

Kentmere House Gallery is open every Thursday evening, 6pm to 9pm, plus open weekends on April 2 and 3, 16 and 17 and 23 and 24 , May 7 and 8 and June 5 and 6, from 11am to 5pm each day, and at other times by arrangement on 01904 656507.