The news this week is that I’m delighted to have been asked to supply illustrations for  fund raising cards for the Breast Cancer Unit at the Leeds General Infirmary: obviously I’m more than pleased, for the most personal of reasons, and I’m busy working on the rough designs to present to them.It’s a fantastic opportunity to help the work of the unit, and to feel I’m contributing in a small way ….

They’ve asked for 4 cheerful images, but I think I’ll do at least 6: the challenge is to avoid the cliches and yet keep the subjects relevant. Once the project is approved and in production, I’ll post the illustrations.

Meanwhile, here a re a couple of sketches from this week’s output: these are works in progress, and will eventually be fully fledged paintings…

The first is a sketch of a back street in Manchester city centre where there are three pubs side-by-side !…

The next is an attempt at loose watercolour only: no lines, no pen…just very loose washes…oh, and it’s a corner of our front garden, trying to pretend we live in the 50s with a traditional cottage feel..

All of the work featured here and on my Flickr page is for sale…just email me if there’s anything you like!