On the Black Shore, Southwold

Lots to like about the excellent pen and watercolour Denis, real well drawn.

Really good piece of work Denis.

Very good Denis, I like it too!

I think this is fantastic Denis. I have always done pen and wash on good cartridge paper, until I got hauled over the coals by a friend. She said my work was too good for cartridge paper because it was very saleable. So now I always use a smooth or medium watercolour paper and very pleased with the results. So I am saying the same thing to you. Your work is very good and deserves a good paper.

Dympna, I must say that my head always feels bigger when I read the encouraging comments posted after posting one of my pictures. ‘Fantastic’ is going a bit over the top, but I like it! I also appreciate the comment you make about the use of cartridge paper, which I do not normally do when working to half imperial size. But it was the last working day of a fabulous holiday and I had one sheet of cartridge paper left. I didn’t feel like taking it back home so I determined to use it. This is what evolved. A few years ago, many of my ink and watercolour paintings were done on Bockingford Rough paper and I used a stick instead of a pen getting a charcoal like effect. I learned that from Edward Wesson. Some of them ‘worked’. Nowadays I paint primarily to amuse myself - I’m a keen amateur. I retired from full time employment 28 years ago and although, back in 1950 when I left school I would have loved to have had a career in art, I had to earn a crust. Art has always been there in the background and all through my life it has given me great pleasure. I cannot see me becoming a ‘professional’ artist at my time of life but I will try your suggestion and buy some smooth watercolour paper to work on. Many thanks.