Venice - A Watercolour Journey by PL Hobbs, £39

ARTIST Phil Hobbs is a past president and honorary life member of the Lake Artists Society. In his new book, he takes us on a watercolour journey through the streets and along the canals of this unique city. As well as the watercolour paintings which capture the essence of the place, the text provides a gentle and simple guide to many of the well-known and some of the lesser-known treasures of Venice.

The anecdotes, along with historical snippets bring to life the city from a particularly individual and personal perspective.

This book gives an insight into both the city in all its splendour and the working life of the painter PL Hobbs. Lavishly illustrated with exquisite drawings, sketches and paintings there are also six hand drawn maps showing the various locations that were the inspiration behind them.

An exhibition of Venetian paintings is currently running through August at The Home Studio, The Copse,

Old Hall Road, Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere, LA23 1JA

For further details, Phil can be contacted through his website www.plhobbs.co.uk.

CAROLINE REECE

WATERSTONES KENDAL