About this site

In 2019 at the age of 73 I was invited to attend an art group with a friend of mine. I knew nothing about art and my last attempt at producing a drawing or painting had probably been at least 60 years previously. I went along feeling quite nervous. Something new at my age!

The group was nothing like I expected. There was no real leader or instructor, rather it was a co-operative, where everyone helped each other (even so far as making numerous cups of tea and coffee!)

Not only that, it was really more of a craft group: some members painted, some knitted, some did patchwork, and one gentlemen spent his time painting figures and buildings for his model railway. But most importantly I was welcomed warmly and encouraged to find something to do which interested me.

I eventually settled on pencil drawing. The equipment needed was inexpensive and I bought a book of instruction for beginners. After a few sessions I was completely hooked. The other members of the group were complimentary about my efforts, though also helpful with a lot of positive criticism.

At first I drew everything and all in graphite. Then I discovered the attraction of coloured pencil and purchased a few more books to learn that particular technique.

Then came covid. No more art classes, and guess what? Instead of making the best of the isolation, I just let things go. Without the support of the weekly class, I couldn’t motivate myself. Luckily, when all the restrictions of covid were removed, the class started again, I rejoined, and since then very few days have passed without me drawing or painting.

One of the new art forms I attempted was pastel drawing. This I found very hard and extremely messy, but eventually I discovered pastel pencils. I felt I had enough control with these to make reasonable drawings, especially of animals and birds and now it is probably my preferred form of art.

My drawings are largely copies of photographs and sometime I am inspired by pictures in books or calenders, but the hard work is all my own. I would say each drawing takes four hours or more to complete, but for me it is almost a form of meditation, gradually building up colours and forms until the picture takes shape.

It just goes to show it is never too late to take up a pleasurable and fulfilling hobby.