Sheffield United star is picture perfect thanks to inspired Stourbridge artist

Dave Windridge hopes to follow in the footsteps of his great step-uncle Bernard Finch, an artist from Tipton, who drew pictures of his native Black Country like the ones below.

Bernard passed away last year but Dave was so inspired by his work that he pursued his own art path and already has one celebrity client – Sheffield United and Wales footballer David Brooks.

Dave, 24, said: “I visited my great step-uncle around this time last year to talk to him about myself pursuing my own artwork and potentially showcasing his work to the audience it so rightly deserves.

“He used indian ink and dip pens to produce stunning black and white photo-realistic scenes of the Black Country. He would literally draw every brick!

“Unfortunately he passed away around three months later, but left me his entire collection of original artwork and also all of his equipment he had accumulated.

“So it became more of a personal goal to start to produce my own work that he had so encouraged me to do.”

Former King Edward VI College student Dave’s quest was helped by family friends who are the parents of rising football star Brooks – they challenged the budding artist to draw the talented youngster.

Mr Windridge said: “I drew them a portrait of their son in black and white pencil using different techniques my great uncle had shown me from our last conversation.

“The result was extremely well received by David and his family so much so that he personally kept and signed the first portrait.

“I have since had to produce another for his parents and two different ones for his grandparents.”

Dave is hoping to work with local football clubs, perhaps auctioning pictures for charity, but says he will take a request from anyone.

Visit his Facebook page Dave’s Drawings or see @daves_drawings on Instagram for more details.