I could draw up a long list of the disadvantages of growing older. And, no matter how long that list, I’m sure that most people could add to it.

But there are, of course, quite a few things on the plus side - not least the fact that, at last, you have the opportunity to enjoy all those diversions that you were previously denied by lack of time.

Amazingly, I have come across those who view retirement with misgiving, even trepidation, fearing boredom and long days without purpose, so this little article sets out to examine a pastime that has fascinated me for most of my life and following the rather surprising success of the TV programme, “Water-colour Challenge” increasingly is being taken up by men and women alike, although I appreciate that much of the male interest may have been stimulated by Hannah Gordon!

I am referring, of course, to sketching and painting. I am sure that many of you that have retired will have had the experience of meeting an ex-colleague, particularly one of the younger ones, who having got over their astonishment that you are still alive, apparently compos mentis and managing without the Zimmer frame, will usually come out with something like “And what are you getting up to these days?”

I suppose most people answer on the lines of “oh, I read a lot, listen to music, enjoy the garden - do a bit of bungee jumping and white water rafting, that sort of thing”. In my case, my reply that “ I paint a bit” is usually greeted with some interest and a response on the basis of “Oh, you are lucky, I can’t paint” Those last three words are worth considering and really from the basis of these articles. After all, I don’t imagine that there are many people reading this, who have not, at some time in their lives, stood in front of a cupboard door with a tin of Dulux in one hand and a paintbrush in the other, dipped the latter into the formula and spread the paint on that door with varying degrees of evenness.

Clearly, therefore,everyone can paint because it is an extremely simple procedure. You merely dip a brush into pigment and spread it around a bit. Thus, when someone says “I can’t paint”, what they are really saying is “I can’t paint -as well as Constable or Michelangelo”. Sadly, very few can but the good news is that it matters not one jot, since you only have to please one person- yourself.

Provided you get a challenge, satisfaction, interest and pleasure from what you are doing, then all the criteria for a successful hobby have been realised. I am sure that almost everyone who gets into painting will confirm these benefits plus a few bonuses into the bargain. To start with, it is amazing how appreciative children and grandchildren and even spouses can be to receive a painting from somewhere they know, perhaps a favourite holiday spot, no matter that the painting is not of royal academy standard, (although having seen some of the stuff at the RA summer exhibition lately, that could be a plus!), it is usually much admired and appreciated.

So there is the first bonus, all those awkward Christmas present problems are solved: do ‘em a painting of Windsor Castle or The Grand Canal in Venice! Later on, as your technique improves and your confidence grows, and you start to exhibit at your local art show, there is an enormous kick when someone is prepared to part with some hard earned cash in order to place one of your masterpieces over the fireplace. So that is the second bonus, although I think it is fair to say most amateurs paint for the sheer delight of sloshing paint onto a virginal canvas or paper and ending up with an image they are pleased with.

Next month: charcoal, watercolours, oils... how to choose and how to get started.