Meet the Artist
Daniel Cooper
Lake District Artist capturing the raw, elemental beauty of Cumbria's fells through evocative charcoal and mixed media works.
The Artist and His Landscape
Daniel Cooper is a celebrated Lake District artist whose evocative charcoal and mixed media works capture the raw, elemental beauty of Cumbria's fells with extraordinary emotional depth. The Lake District National Park isn't simply Cooper's subject matter—it's his "true home" and his "stage," a place where the natural architecture within each vista—the fells, trees and stones—transcends mere visual beauty to become something far more profound.
"I see the land as a space to contain a composition, a composition that ultimately describes an emotional response to what I'm looking at. It is the intangible elements of nature; weather, light and cloud that fuels my imagination when communicating visually."
Capturing the Soul of the Fells
Cooper's philosophy permeates every piece he creates. His work doesn't simply document the Lake District's iconic peaks and valleys; it captures the essence of place, the feeling of standing atop Great Gable as clouds race overhead, the solitude of Haystacks at dawn, the drama of Striding Edge against a winter sky.
Each artwork represents not just a geographical location but an emotional experience—the very soul of the fells themselves.
Artistic Process & Materials
Signature Charcoal
Charcoal has become Cooper's signature medium, often using charcoal burnt on the Brantwood estate or compressed charcoal, working with different intensities of blackness to create atmospheric depth and drama.
"Like there's a literal element of earth fed into the drawing and painting, this for me is another way I find myself connecting to a place."
Mixed Media Secrets
His mixed media approach combines wet and dry materials in experimental techniques that remain deliberately secretive.
"A combination of wet and dry media which I mix and handle myself, and since they form a part of my experimentations—I keep all material used, and application techniques, a secret."
On-Site Documentation
Cooper produces numerous on-site sketches and drawings, immersing himself in the landscape regardless of weather conditions. The constant change in direction of light and cloud is documented via photography.
"I aim to capture the essence of a place and a feeling or mood, over and over again, there is never one representation of how a view makes me feel."
Presentation & Craftsmanship
Cooper works primarily on paper and canvas, with framed original artwork dimensions varying according to the specific piece. He often works in square, rectangle or panoramic formats—a deliberate choice designed to reflect the visual narrative of collections hanging together.
"To reflect the visual narrative of a collection of works hanging together, I like to have works, especially in solo exhibitions appear to 'flow' smoothly on the eye, and with similar presentation and sizes of artworks, the collection communicates 'as one' in a given space."
Framing Excellence
- Simple but clean black frames to keep focus on the art
- Hand-finished and exclusive moulding made from lime wood
- Hand painted with a dark, warm brown and satin finish
- Acid-free conservation quality mounting and backing boards
Recognition & Achievements
Cooper's contributions to Cumbria's arts and culture scene have earned significant recognition, with features in acclaimed publications and prestigious exhibitions.
Featured In
Ruskin Museum Exhibition
Major exhibition coinciding with the historic re-launch of Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water (11th-17th May 2026), marking the return of Donald Campbell's legendary speed record boat.
High Sheriff Recognition
Recognised by Julie Barton, The High Sheriff of Cumbria, for business innovation, activity and contribution in enhancing community life during the Covid-19 crisis.
"Reflections of Imagination" at Brantwood
Major solo exhibition during Ruskin's bi-centenary celebration year, running concurrently with "Incandescence - Turner in Venice," a special retrospective of works by JMW Turner.
"It will probably remain the highlight of my career as an artist, to show my work concurrently and under the same roof as Turner... one of the greatest artists that ever lived."
That's Cumbria TV Feature
Featured on local TV channel for a special interview about his solo exhibition held at his home, in conjunction with C-Art—a county-wide art trail organised by Eden Arts.
Cumbria Artist of the Year & Beatrix Potter Exhibition
Shortlisted for Cumbria Artist of the Year at Rheged Centre. Also participated in "Beatrix Potter's Inspiring Legacy" at Kendal Museum marking the 150th anniversary of her birth.
ITV's "Safe House"
Three original works by Daniel Cooper featured as set design for the ITV thriller starring Christopher Ecclestone, Marsha Thomason, Stephen Moyer and Paterson Joseph.
Artist's Artist Award
Awarded the prestigious "Artist's Artist Award" at Artober—a monumental display of works by artists currently living and working in Cumbria. Also held solo show "Different Kinds of Weather" at Brantwood alongside works by Samuel Prout (1783-1852).
Live with the Work
Originals, limited edition prints and small editions, direct from the studio.
Daniel's originals are one-off works on paper or canvas, each shaped over weeks of drawing, layering and revisiting on the fell. When an original sells, that exact piece will not exist again — it leaves the studio framed, signed and conservation mounted.
Selected works are also released as signed, numbered limited edition prints, produced on heavyweight archival paper with pigment inks. Editions are capped, dated, and personally signed by the artist. The aim is simple: keep the atmosphere of the original intact at a scale and price that lets more people live with the Lake District at home.
Alongside the prints, the studio releases small ceramic and stationery editions — quiet, useful objects carrying the same hand. Whether you start with a postcard-scale print, a peaks panoramic, or an original on the wall, the work is meant to be lived with daily.
What's in the Shop
Originals
One-off charcoal and mixed media works, framed and ready to hang.
Limited Edition Prints
Signed and numbered giclée prints across the Peaks, Re-Compositions and panoramic series.
Small Editions
Ceramic mugs, fellpens and other studio editions carrying the same hand.
Take a piece of the Lake District home
Each piece is an emotional response to place — the shifting weather of a high fell, the quiet of a tarn at first light, the architecture of stone and cloud. Browse the shop to live with an original or a signed limited edition print, or read more about the practice and the recognition behind the work.