Our good friends Stephen and Janine own the house that Arthur Ransome lived in during the latter part of his life; you may know that Arthur Ransome was the famous author of the “Swallows and Amazons” series of children’s books, which was set in The Lake District where he lived. Some time ago Stephen commissioned me to draw Arthur from an old photograph that has come to light in recent years, depicting an aged Arthur writing in his study.

Two failed attempts at capturing Arthur’s likeness to my satisfaction have meant that several months have gone by without any word from me about the drawing’s progress. With Christmas coming soon I thought that perhaps I ought to make one last attempt – I had put it off for as long as I could. The time had come and today I picked up my drawing pencils and pad.

I had been drawing for two or three hours, and was about to make a hard line on my initial light sketch to affirm the sagging skin under Arthur’s chin (as evidenced by the photograph) when a voice spoke to me:

“For goodness sake! Did I ever look that old and saggy? I certainly can’t remember it. That must be the worst photograph ever taken of me. Sally, must you be so unkind as to render a perfect likeness to that vile photograph?”

“What about Stephen? He is the one commissioning me to draw this,” I answered slightly bemused (and silently inside my head, I might add).

“Please don’t make me look like your Granddad Barnes again…”

“Oh, you saw those attempts? Yes, I was afraid that they were like Grandfer. But you do resemble him in that photo…”

“That which I do not recognise.”

“But Stephen has only that image to go by. What will he say if I use artistic licence?”

“What about my feelings? Don’t they count? Stephen doesn’t know that I hate that photograph but you do. Now be a good artist and trim away a little of that awful double chin (that never existed), and while you’re about, take a soft approach to the jaw line. Think of how much better the drawing will appear. That wouldn’t hurt – would it? I really love the sound of artistic licence…” the voice implored.

Now I honestly don’t know if it was the voice of my conscience, or the indignant spirit of the author himself, who made such an excellent argument in favour of kindness, as much as the aesthetic benefits, but I soon found myself bowing to the good judgement of the voice. It is still a work in progress to which I shall return tomorrow for the completion. I have taken some photos on my mobile so you may compare the original photograph with my half-finished drawing. I wonder if you will agree with the voice in my head. Do feel free to let me know.