Fred Yates ‘Pen and Ink’ Drawing - an unusual commission
Like struggling actors, artists need to keep an income coming in during the early years of a painting career. This can involve unusual commission requests, and for art collectors this can lead to a rare item.
Around 1971 / 1972 Fred Yates found himself back with the Rastall household staying a few days around the Wye Valley in Chepstow with my grandmother. My father Robin was running the family business in Tintern, about 5 miles from Chepstow, and asked for Fred’s help with an unusual pen and ink commission.
Fred was not a stranger to pen and ink works, in fact he was a very good draftsman and observer of details. Whilst prices show the art market does not chase or really appreciate these early pen and ink art works, they are important, showing insight into the artist’s development.
Chepstow Arch - Fred Yates Pen and Ink Drawing
Chepstow
When we acquired this first picture it had been mis-titled as Launceston and I can see why, as the arches are similar in the two towns; However, we knew immediately it was in fact the archway at the top of Chepstow High Street (South Wales), drawn from Moor Street. I can only assume Fred was staying with my grandmother at the time of drawing this, as she was only a mile away.
Fred Yates (example of his early signature)
I love the fact that he signed it ‘Fred J Yates’ as getting the middle initial J on an early work is a delight for a serious Yates collector, and quite rare as he tends to drop the J in later works. We think this could be late 1960’s or early 1970’s.
Fred Yates Pen and Ink - Tintern Abbey ‘71/’72
Tintern – An unusual project
Now to the second artwork, a pen and ink on good thick paper. My father asked Fred if he would draw a picture of Tintern Abbey to go onto tablemats for his café. Fred set out to draw Tintern Abbey like many artists before him, but still giving it a ‘Fred’ Flavour. After Fred gave my father the drawing, the tablemats were printed by VistaPrint and we have the 1972 postal stamp for the original being returned to my father.
Fred Yates Signature - almost hidden in the grass
This time Fred’s pen and ink is just signed Yates and he has almost hidden his signature in the design. Unfortunately, none of the tablemats have lasted, they delaminated under the hot plates! However, we do have Fred’s original work safely framed under Art Glass and away from light. Fred was paid for his work on the placemat which was probably one of his most unusual commissions. Did Fred even do commissions? He doesn’t seem the commission type!
These two pictures sit together in our home gallery and whilst they are not for sale are available to view as early Fred Yates examples.
Fred’s original work being returned - Postage - 1972