'On one of my cycle rides I visited the village of Braisfield and discovered an old-fashioned red telephone box, nestling under a canopy of trees and simply bulging with newly erected shelves and several stacked boxes full of books,' says Wendy Jelbert. 'I was instantly attracted to this tiny space and began to make enquiries about how a telephone box could have changed into a library for the local community. Were there others and what were their histories? Little did I know how much I was to learn and how my friends and students would help me to find many more examples of these characterful icons.'

Braisfield Free Library, watercolour on 140lb paper, (40.5x30.5cm)

Loose and lively detail

'Painting these little subjects was more complicated than I expected, as I concentrated on accurately portraying each box’s proportions, the many tones surrounding it and the situation in which it belonged. I also had to remember to highlight individual features, such as notices and instructions to the visiting public and, later on, with these differently operating boxes, their decorative flags and assorted holders containing books, fruit or flowers.

'A lot of thought went into achieving a set of varied finished paintings. With a renewed goal ahead and never caring how long the project might take or where it may lead, I began to feel more curiosity and became creatively more motivated and freer.'

Flower Power, Bath, sketchbook study

'This box settles into its street setting with all its flowers, greenery and pots. As I painted it, I remembered building a doll’s house with an attached shop in evening classes when my children were small. This study of a ‘red fun character’ revived the same cosy feelings I had all those years ago.'

Demonstration: Up-Somborne Red Telephone Box

Up-Somborne Red Telephone Box, watercolour on 140lb paper, (30.5x40.5cm)

Reference photo