A portrait artist from Watford is exhibiting some of his works for the last time as he says goodbye to his painting to follow a career in writing.

Phil Hinsley will be showing 28 framed oil paintings and a number of his drawings and photographs in the pop-up gallery that has been set up in a disused shop in Charter Place.

Phil, who lives in North Watford and works at Watford Grammar School for Girls, has been painting and drawing portraits for more than 30 years and has had his work displayed in the National Portrait Gallery and with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

“I no longer paint and have given away much of painting equipment to others, as I now concentrate on writing,” says Phil, who is now working on his third book, “but I jumped at the chance of showing some of my best works, possibly for the last time.”

  • Pop-up Gallery, 1st Floor, Charter Place, High Street, Watford, April 21 to 26, 10am to 3.30pm.