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As a thank you to the man who introduced R and I, I offer to do a portrait of the man himself, Tim W. I ask for photos and he duly sends some but I need good quality ones and preferably with him on his own. After a short while he obliges and sends a stunning photo capturing his spirit completely. The image is powerful and the lighting and detail...Continue Reading

I have now given up on ‘Sally’. The painting is lost. I simply can’t explain why I have been unable to salvage it so I start a new one. My new beau, R, has kindly offered to let me use his large and sunny conservatory as my studio. After collecting my easel and paints I start afresh. I’m drawn to a photo that I took way back in January 1996...Continue Reading

Some days Sally’s portrait looks good, other days I despair with how I’ve been unable to capture her likeness. I work, often late into the evening, with the TV on in the background to keep me company. I’ve worked so often over each layer that I can no longer see the canvas under the form. There are clumps of paint and stray hairs littering her fine features. There’s not much...Continue Reading

“I should have returned energised from my most recent trip to France in September. My co-pilot has been replaced by a new one; my good friend, Heather. A short crossing to Calais where we sat on deck in glorious sunshine, quaffing bubbly, mine non-alcoholic, of course. A seamless afternoon journey to Avranches followed by dinner in town and a stay at a lovely hotel. The following day we head south...Continue Reading

Can anything be nicer than setting up an easel under brilliant blue skies and breathing in the fresh air of the Gers? Do I need more tuition? For a week I will be painting en plein air, out-doors at the lovely Maison du Guit which means the Duck House. A days long drive, bowling along the empty French motorways from Le Havre and we (my co-pilot and I) are the...Continue Reading