Having managed to turn out one painting I was pleased with and a couple of pen and washes that didn't turn out as badly as I thought they might, I decided to launch myself with enthusiasm into a fairly complicated pen and wash of the Doge's Palace in Venice. A scene horribly overdone by a myriad of artists I know, but you have to give it a go - don't you? Ten days ago, I stupidly tried to lift my 30kg dog over a stile that she was reluctant to jump (a retriever - I ask you!) and managed to put my back out and have been in varying degrees of agony ever since. However, being the committed artist that I am (not!) I have manfully (or womanfully) worked through the pain barrier in short burst to complete the pen drawing part. I am actually rather pleased with it and thereby lies the problem. Up to now I think I have totally missed the point of what the wash part is supposed to do in a pen a wash and have never managed to complete this part of any work successfully in my view. So, here's the rub - I have this drawing I am pleased with and I just can't bring myself to start the watercolour part because there is a very good chance that I will muck it up. So far, I have found a number of excuses as to why I can't do it that day, or that evening. It is amazing how pressing watching a particular TV programme can be under these circumstances and even the ironing has taken on a new urgency. Anything rather than tackle the problem of completing the painting. I will have to get on and do it, but I just can't decide on how to do it, what colour palette to use and even whether to add paint at all. I could just leave it as a drawing, but then that would be bottling out wouldn't it. My god, and I remember someone telling me that I was lucky to have such a relaxing pastime!!