Last week I went to Whittlebury Women's Institute in Northamptonshire to give them a talk and demonstration in pastel.

I chose to draw a female swan and her two cygnets that I saw at Slimbridge this spring - I liked the care she was taking to shelter them from the hot sun with her shadow, and the way she was looking at them made a good "story" to the picture.

Drawing white birds is always interesting because of the many colours reflected in their feathers.

The ladies of the WI were most interested and appreciative to see the picture emerge - and served a good cup of tea!