OIL paintings capturing the excitement of scenes from around Malvern, throughout Europe and India are to go on display at Lyttelton House Gallery on Monday (November 4).

John Smythe, who has studied life drawing at Malvern Hills College through attending a group for more than ten years, is showing a series of pieces he has worked hard to complete.

"Making a painting is not a relaxing business but exhaust- ing creative work seeking the line and colour that seem right," said the Priory Road-based painter.

"For this reason, all paintings are inventions. They probably starts from drawings and images made from the world around. You try to make the picture into something that has the mood and excitement that you felt, but the final picture is an invention and not a copy of what we see."

Mr Smythe's paintings will be on show at the Abbey Road gallery until November 22. It is open Monday to Saturday, 10-5pm, and can be contacted on 01684 574921.