I had a lovely surprise yesterday.    Tess and Maya (the two models in this image) have returned from S. America after three years and will be modelling again this summer….

This prompted me to tell the story of Tess and Maya.

Three years ago, when I was doing a lot of life painting at the Boathouse Studios,  I arrived to find a  lovely young model accompanied by her Mother who was looking after her new baby.

During the break, the young girl said that she would have to go home because of the baby….and so it was suggested that they model together.

The studio was very warm and quiet.   Little Maya settled in with her Mother and totally relaxed….

This was quite a fast watercolour…..and here you will see that I am adding a dark into the negative space, surrounding Mother and child. 

Which leads…