The Graphite Gallery of Cumbria.

Welcome to the Graphite Gallery of Cumbria, based in Keswick, a gallery of artwork depicting landscapes and historic scenes about the Cumbrian way of life of hardy miners, quarrymen and Cumbrians in the grand Lake District mountain landscape. 

Since 2012 Helen Bradbury, a local Keswick artist, has been drawing and painting the lake district fells, their old mines and quarries and other ancient places using minerals and materials historically special to Cumbria that were mined or made here, but especially the wonderful and expressive Graphite and Charcoal.

Graphite, or "Wad", was mined locally in Borrowdale's ancient and mysterious Graphite mine. She also uses Derwent Graphite pencil and oil paints including Cumbrian Iron ore paint and pastels made at west Cumbria's Florence Iron mine. Our prints and cards are printed by McKane's of Keswick on Cumbrian paper 

made at the long established firm of Cropper's in Kentmere near Kendal. We want our work to represent what the real Cumbria is about. Keep it Cumbrian!

The Graphite Gallery aims to convey the essence of the district today and in the past where an entrancing mixture of resourceful people, determined quarrymen, miners, charcoal burners, shepherds, woodsmen and wary smugglers roamed and toiled. We also hope that you may find a picture for a wall in your home that will stir your imagination of these people and their stories or perhaps of your own wanderings and visits here where so much has gone before.

The Graphite Gallery of Cumbria.

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Please view our pictures in gallery in the following categories; Media of; Graphite, pencil, charcoal, oil paint or Subjects of; landscapes, skies and trees, mining and quarrying or ancient crafts.

We offer prints in A4 and A3 sizes, delivered by Royal mail in a cardboard tube. We can also frame or mount prints to order. A4 mounted prints can be posted by Royal mail and A4 and A3 framed or mounted prints may be delivered locally or collected. We are sometimes asked for a drawing of someone's favourite or nearby fell and we can take commissions on request. For framed or mounted prints or commissions please contact us, see our contact us page. 

All pictures in this website are the copyright of Helen Bradbury.

Where to see our artwork for sale;

Honister slate quarry, 

A fascinating and historic place to visit. Between Buttermere and Borrowdale.

Sykes Farm Tearoom, Buttermere.

A lovey farm cafe that serves home made soup, cakes, pies and ice-cream.

Florence arts centre, 

A fascinating and historic place to visit. South of Egremont, west Cumbria.

Graphite Gallery, Main street, Keswick.

An interesting gallery of heritage art & mini museum in the heart of Cumbria.

FLORENCE IRON MINE ARTS CENTRE

Our current exhibition is at Florence Iron mine Arts centre in Egremont, west Cumbria. We have a selection of industrial and landscape pictures for sale including local Iron mining topics. Florence Iron mine is an interesting site with an arts centre practicing many crafts including pottery and paint making, frequent exhibitions of local artists and a lovely cafe. Our exhibition can be viewed alogside a recently added mineral collection.

The Graphite Gallery of Cumbria.