Radda-in-Chianti

When I was a student at Cambridge Art School Paul Hogarth RA [1917 - 2001], the famous reportage artist was a visiting lecturer. He encouraged us to 'go out and draw' and 'use our eyes'. Good advice. It really hones your observational skills.

 Sunrise, Alcacer do Sal, Portugal

Paul Hogarth was one of the most prolific and successful commercial artists of his day, a painter in watercolours, an illustrator and printmaker, he is probably best known for his images of the faraway and exotic, with a sensitivity to architecture.

 San Michele in Foro, Lucca, Tuscany

These have appeared in his own books and lithographs and also in collaboration with such distinguished writers as Robert Graves, Graham Greene and Lawrence Durrell. He illustrated a large format edition of Peter Mayles 'A Year In Provence' and painted watercolours to illustrate an anthology of John Betjemans essays 'In Praise of Churches', bringing him wide recognition across the globe.

 Convento das Chagas, Vila Vicosa, Portugal

From 1959 to 1962 he was Senior Tutor at the Cambridge School of Art and from 1964 to 1971 at the Royal College of Art, London. In 1968-1969 he was associate professor of illustration at the Philadelphia College of Art, USA. Hogarth was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1974 and to full membership in 1984. He became honorary president of the Association of Illustrators in 1982 and he received an O.B.E. in 1989. In 1999 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by Manchester Metropolitan University.

 Higher Bosigran, Cornwall

Yesterday we went to see a large exhibition of his watercolours [some 118 pieces] at Francis Kyle Gallery in London. These included a cache of unknown works discovered after his death, some dating back to the 1950's. It was great to see such a large collection of his works together, and the exhibition has been a significant commercial success, even in this depressed market, it being one of last opportunities to acquire an original piece of his work.

 Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

In 1967 at Cambridge we were set a reportage project drawing London markets over a period of a week. I did drawings of Leadenhall Market, Smithfield meat market, the original Covent Garden fruit & vegetable market, and the original Billingsgate fish market in Lower Thames Street. Here is one of my drawings of Billingsgate and Paul Hogarth's influence is clear. I remember he liked these drawings.

The exhibition continues at Francis Kyle Gallery, 9 Maddox Street, London W1 until 15 April 2010.