A New Paintbox

Earlier this year I turned 50, something of a milestone, both welcome and unwelcome. Welcome because 200 years ago I'd have been an old man, but feel far from old; unwelcome because at 50, the eyesight begins to blur and the body lacks its youthful spring. However ... Having invited a good number of friends and family to a party to celebrate this birthday, I was given a selection of gifts including paint brushes, tubes of paint and a handmade paintbox made by classicpaintboxes.com. It is a beautifully crafted item, smooth and solid with a hinged palette and a mixing well. 18 empty ½-pan containers offer storage for a wide range of colours - I'd planned to double-up on ones I use more like Prussian blue and Raw Sienna but ended up with the arrangement below.