A UNIQUE artist is trialling a new art project centred around Halstead.

Allan Thurston has been creating artwork depicting some of the town’s most famous historic landmarks.

Allan, of Ozier Field, Halstead, is an illustrator, graphic designer and web designer, and is now applying his skills to creating fantastic digital artworks.

He said: “ I’m sure there other people out there who could claim similar talents but maybe what is slightly different is I am 75 years old.

“I may be wrong but I tend to think that there are probably not many artists of that age producing digital artwork.”

After picking up his skills in digital graphic design later in life, at first Allan worked as an industrial artist and illustrator for the Ford Motor Company in Dagenham.

Born in Barnsley before growing up in Dagenham, Allan was pulled into the the world of digital design when he began working in Germany.

He said: “It was an exciting time in the car industry, turning large complex plans into works of art.

“But it was when I left and started working in Germany that a new chapter opened up for me.

“It was the start of the digital era and little did I know then how much of an impact it was going to have on me and many other artists. To my shame I was a little sceptical about how much an artist could achieve on a computer.

“But once I discovered Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and 3D programmes like 3DS Max, I was sold and never looked back.”

Mastering his design skills over decades, Allan has now become a highly talented digital artist and now the designer has set his artist sights on Halstead.

Allan has so far completed three works – a trilogy dubbed Halstead History Art – and he is hoping to create more in the future.

Presented in the style of old British Rail posters, the pieces depict the town’s Victoria fountain, the White Hart pub and the old railway station.

After testing the water with the three pieces, Allan’s aim is to introduce a shop to his website over the coming weeks where people can view or buy his artwork.

Visit allanthurston.co.uk to see more of Allan and his art work.