The Village Pub, Rodmersham, c1929 by Edward Ardizzone

Edward Ardizzone was a British painter, printmaker and war artist and the author and illustrator of book, many of them for children. He spent his early years working as an office clerk whilst taking evening classes at the Westminster School of Art, spending his weekends and free time painting until with financial help from his father, he was able to give up his office job and concentrate on becoming a professional free lance artist. A major theme of his paintings was life in London with illustrations of pubs and parks near his home. His naturalistic, subdued style has gentle lines and delicate watercolours and a great attention to particular details.