It means that artist Hugh Kirkwood, from Invergordon, is always ready to capture a scene with his oil paints.

You can see the fruits of Mr Kirkwood's labours in a new art show at Duff House which started last week, featuring 16 of his small paintings. They can be seen, free of charge, in the tearoom of the house.

The paintings in the exhibition, called 'Artist – Inventor!', were created using his invention, the Paint Box, a patent for which was granted in 2007.

He has been using his Paint Box system for 20 years, and hopes that a company can be found to produce the boxes on a commercial basis.

His Paint Boxes contain everything an artist needs. Unusually, they are for oil paints, a much more difficult medium to store.

The box contains a stock of blank canvases. In use, a canvas is pinned to the outside of the box, which becomes the easel.

The oil paints are already squeezed out onto greaseproof paper, which acts as the palette.

But oil paints would dry up in a matter of days, and Mr Kirkwood wants to be able to keep his Paint Box in his pocket for weeks, until he needs it.

The secret is to fold the paper over the paint, and suck out the air with a vacuum cleaner, so that it stays in perfect condition, perhaps for months, until he breaks the seal and starts work.

After that, it will remain usable for a few days.

To thin the paint, the box includes a sponge soaked in oil.

The box also contains a selection of brushes.

Laurie Savage, staff member at Duff House, admires the oil paintings done by Hugh Kirkwood using his Paint Box, in his show in the tearoom at the house, called 'Artist – Inventor!'

He has made his boxes in a number of sizes.

The artist explained: "The box holds everything; you just open the lid and it's ready to use.

"You don't need an easel.

"It's just like having a camera in your pocket.

"It looks like you are eating from a box of chocolates; people are not aware you are using it to paint them, and so they are not self-conscious about being watched."

The inspiration for his paint box, he reveals, came from Scottish artists Peplow and Ferguson, who used cigar boxes to hold their art materials when they were travelling in France.

"Painting from life is an old Scottish tradition," he explains.

Hugh Kirkwood paints much of his work in this area. The exhibition features views of the North-east coastline, which has been Hugh's inspiration, including images from Findochty in the west to Pennan in the east.

One of the highlights of the show is an atmospheric painting of Duff House in winter.

The paintings are available for sale, and are on show until Sunday, July 27.

boardman_g@spp-group.com

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