Bradford School for Arts and Crafts

Almost immediately Richard felt disappointed in the School of Art. No one there was interested in being a ‘fine artist’ but all were hoping to make a living in commercial art.

Meanwhile his mother’s health had broken down as she was suffering from TB and soon after returning from the German holiday, in early 1921 the family moved from Bradford to the purer air of Ilkley for her health. This was some cause for anguish, as Richard loved the city of Bradford and all the bustle and activity. He had a to fight a battle with his parents to be allowed to bring his favourite rabbit which leaped in the air with delight when first allowed the freedom of the garden.

Soon Richard discovered a wealth of new images in the quarries and moorland to inspire him. 'The smallness of the house persuaded Father to purchase a second-hand hut to stand in the garden. This he allowed me to use as a studio and bedroom combined. I soon had it fitted up and decided I would almost live in it as far as possible.’

It was to this hut that at the end of the allotted trial year at College that he had been promised, that the tutor at the College came to see Richard’s work and assess whether he should go in for teaching or painting. On seeing this latest set of pictures, the instructor said to Richard's father: 'Well, that knocks teaching on the head.’ Richard's father allowed him to start his second year.

It was then on an art club expedition that Richard discovered Farnley Hall near Otley in Wharfedale. He was bowled over by the collection of Turner watercolours. ‘Turner became my hero and I bought an old bicycle and explored Wharfedale trying, in many cases, to locate the exact spot where he must have sat to make his drawings.’

After an experience of painting in the snow on the moors and finding himself unable to move, completely numbed with cold, he decided to make drawings on the spot and construct paintings from them back in his own studio. One of these exhibited in a local art club earned him his first press review.

1923 and 1924 seem to have been filled with intensive work but no formal tuition. He was completely self-motivated and felt a need to prove himself worthy of the trust granted him. In January 1924 he visited Torquay with his mother, the cold sea air being good for her lungs. Interestingly this trip gave rise to an example of a sketch he made there being used by him for a painting 55 years later (Storm, Torquay).

His hard work paid off: 'It was a great day for me when I was accepted by the Slade School in London and was awarded a special grant by the Drummond Foundation for the further education of Bradford Grammar School boys.’ That summer the family stayed for a few days in London as Richard had never been there before. Lodgings were found and the museums and galleries explored.