BUDDING artists at a Richmond primary school have created a version of a Mackenzie Thorpe painting after learning about his work dedicated to the Tour de France.

Pupils at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Richmond spent a term studying the artist’s work Over Hill and Dale, depicting a racing cyclist with a vivid orange backdrop, and each coloured a section of their masterpiece in pastel.

The proud students were then able to show their work to Mr Thorpe at a visit to his Arthaus Gallery, in Finkle Street, Richmond.

Headteacher Jill Collins said: “The topic in year three has been the Tour de France, and as part of that they looked at the artwork of Mackenzie Thorpe.

“They sectioned off his Over Hill and Dale painting and each child got to do a bit and then it was put back together.

“The gallery was having an exhibition at the same time so we took it along and were able to speak to him – I think they were really inspired.”

Niamh Finn, Emily Todd, Angelica Wilson, Scarlett Atkinson and Tia Coates were among the students visiting the gallery and Ms Collins said they were keen to do more work on the artist in the future.