In retrospect, without guidance, progress was slow and halting. Improvement came only through long and persistent practice. Eventually creating pictures became a joy, a boon to recovery and an enduring passion.

Over the years copious notes were gathered for personal self help and it seemed to be a shame if they were allowed to waste. In recent years I carried the idea to redress and form these notes into a teaching aid. Recently it has come to fruition.

'Watercolours by Self Teaching' should not be read entirely at one sitting, but rather digested a little at a time, otherwise it would become tedious. The advice offered should be thoughtfully and passively read and absorbed into the mind, in contrast to an attention holding novel that actively talks from its pages. It is to be hoped that the words chosen, however inadequate, will be understood by the reader, matching them to the ideas envisaged, less aware of the words themselves but fully aware of the ideas and images they represent. I have done my best to communicate. Where there are a few repetitions, it will serve to emphasise important items. Frankly, I am at my limit to do more.

Emphasis is on technique and composition, which combine some timeworn disciplines. The individual's sensitivity to the subject is considered to a lesser extent. The message that follows is about the understanding and making of traditional watercolour pictures, centring on features that distinguish them above others as good and suitable for framing. Successful conventional pictures are 2 dimensional representations of 3 dimensional realities. By applying knowledge of light, shadows and perspective, an illusion of solidity is created.

Taking into account that I am not a professional writer, whatever the relative merits or shortcomings of the proposed guidance to watercolour painting, my wish is that it will find favour with readers sharing an agreeable attitude to the needs of

Kind hearted and well- meaning friends and relatives are apt to make flattering remarks, may I say mistakenly about talent. In my heart of hearts I have long since rid myself of illusions, still searching but judging myself to be a run of the mill painter. Notwithstanding, a great amount of pleasure and satisfaction has been gained from watercolouring, photography and other interests. One should never become bored in life.

The main purpose is to encourage charitable awareness in its true sense to the need for fund raising in the FIGHT AGAINST CANCER. Current statistics indicate that 1 in 3 people are affected by cancer at some time in their lives. Please be persuaded to subscribe to this worthy cause.

It may not be possible to answer every email message, but I shall do my best. Anyone interested in informal chat, newsletters or related items, ideas please!. I am unable to organise this myself.

TO MEN AND WOMEN OF THEIR CALIBRE, I OWE MY LIFE.

I wish to thank the medical profession in particular and society in general for giving my life greater direction, meaning and purpose.

Also to my wife Win, for loving care and support during stressful and difficult times

The following professional artists/writers have been a great inspiration to me and thanks are duly deserved :

John Blockley, J.Fletcher Watson, Rowland Hilder, Alwyn Crawshaw, Ron Ranson, John Pike, Don Rankin, Ian Simpson, FC Johnson, Bradshaw and Hazelhurst, jan Kunz, Zolton Szabo, Edwin Glasgow, Michael Pope, John Hawkins, Wilfrid Ball, F.Whitaker, L.Richmond and F.Littlejohns, Mario Cooper, Godfrey Sayer, Kenneth Tidd, Guy Todd and many, many more present and past going as far back as John Ruskin.

I have no hesitation in recommending their colour illustrated books, not simply to be used as decorative items in bookshelves. Most may be purchased from Leading Bookshops. I cannot overstate their beneficial value in regular use, considering them as friendly mentors.

Watercolours by Self Teaching is a distillation of the subject of watercolour. It is based on the work of named and unnamed artists and that of my own experience, similar in substance, but different in presentation and approach.