STROUD based artist Chris Richford will be exhibiting a selection of paintings at the Lansdown Gallery from Monday, August 4.

As well as displaying portraits, still lifes and Stroud landscapes, in watercolour and oils, Chris is offering to draw portraits of visitors to the show.

"My main fascination is portraits, drawn from life, in pencil or ink. That's much more fun than working from a photograph," he said.

Encouraged by his mother, Chris began drawing at an early age.

"I can recall drawing with such passion that she bought me rolls of wallpaper to work on the back of because I used such a large quantity of paper," he said.

"I have lived in Stroud since 2010, close to the Slad Valley. With its contours and season changing colours, it’s a limitless source of inspiration.

"Still life flowers in watercolour are also a recurring theme in my work.

"Inspiration has come from working with artists including Matt Alexander, Melanie Wright and Keith Symonds. Keith runs a life drawing group at the Waldorf College in Stroud, which is run as a drop in pay and paint at 2pm on Saturdays."

Exhibition continues until August 10.