Editions Didier Millet – The Bell Bookshop

Menorca Sketchbook

Emma — Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Menorca Sketchbook offers a remarkable new vision of the island through watercolour and pencil sketches from Graham Byfield, long-term resident of Es Migjorn, which are supported by a highly informative text from Marcus Binney, a regular visitor to the island.

Menorca is full of hidden secrets and the book illustrates not only the main buildings and sites of obvious importance, but also many quirky aspects of Menorcan life and its glorious countryside and heritage, making it a surprise and delight to both visitors and residents alike.

Unlike many of its neighbours Menorca has been spared much of the recent ravages of development and now supports a strong ecological ethic with safeguards in place to avoid uncontrolled exploitation. A strong volunteering spirit exists, which supports the local authorities to ensure the beaches are kept clean, and many old buildings are saved from collapse and ruin, most notably the Naval Hospital on the Isla del Rey and several old windmills.

Menorca is truly a hidden gem and this book aims to reveal some of these secrets which makes the island so special.

Brittany Sketchbook

Emma — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Surrounded by the English Channel to the north, the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Bay of Biscay to the south, Brittany is a picturesque region of France renowned for its beautiful coastline and stunning architecture. Brittany is steeped in history and legends. It is closely connected to the tales of King Arthur, in fact Merlin’s tomb is said to be in a dolmen located somewhere in the region. Granite rules the area; churches, manors and farms are often built with this material, sometimes carved as intricately as lace. The Pink Granite Coast is famous for its blush coloured rock and sand.

Fabrice Moireau roamed across this land from the Pointe du Raz to the Landes de Lanvaux and from the Morbihan to the Mont Saint-Michel Bay, to discover the most stunning and intriguing landscapes and buildings of Brittany, all of which he captured with his brushes and pens.

Sicily Sketchbook

Emma — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The newest book in the highly successful ‘Sketchbook’ series features beautiful watercolours of Sicily.

Overlooked by Etna – the highest volcano in Europe – Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, has always excited interest because of its strategic position and the wealth of its land. Over the centuries, Sicily has come under various rulers and has had a fertile history: Carthaginian, Greek, Roman, Norman, Byzantine and now Italian. It is a model of architectural diversity and cosmopolitanism, with Roman villas, baroque palaces, medieval castles and Islamic vestiges. This book proudly unveils the many facets of Sicily, through its architecture as well as scenes from daily life. Fabrice Moireau spent weeks walking the landscapes of Sicily with his palette and his brushes to depict this land of mountains and lava, of sand and grapevine.

Florence Sketchbook

Emma — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Florence ? capital of Tuscany, birthplace of the Renaissance and a UNESCO Word Heritage Site ? is shown in this book through the depictions of its architectural wealth, iconic monuments and its less well-known areas. From churches to museums, gardens to palaces, and small squares to twisting narrow streets, Fabrice Moireau has created a vivid portrait of the city where the Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci and Dante Alighieri once lived. The artist’s palette reveals the grandeur of the history of Florence, as well as its charms and atmosphere.

Oxford Sketchbook

Emma — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Using over 150 watercolour painting and pencil sketches, Graham Byfield takes the reader on a tour of some of Oxford's most historic landscapes, revealing architectural treasures in little-known back streets and hidden cloisters.

London Sketch Book

Emma — Mon, 11 Jun 2001 00:00:00 +0000

In over 150 water colour paintings and pencil sketches, Graham Byfield takes us on a tour of London's historic landmarks, celebrated markets and famous parks and gardens.