The book can now be ordered at a discount price of just £8.99 by contacting Alan through the get in touch page

The publishers price of the book is normally £16.99

I confess that I loathe having my portrait painted. The enforced inactivity when I could be reading a book, or writing my own, or gardening, or doing things in the house or walking my dogs, drives me absolutely crackers. I have therefore to admit that I only agreed to by painted by Alan Hydes because I was writing a novel about the art world and one of my heroes was a very good-looking portrait painter. I thought it would be invaluable for my research to see a truly talented artist at work.

In fact the experience was a delight. Alan adores his work and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of bringing people to life. He also manages to make the act of portrait painting a real adventure, but one which he takes with huge seriousness.

His background and training as a fine artist means that he follows the old school of painting which involves pure draughtmanship. Before any paint touches the canvas he produces loads of drawings as a way of familiarizing himself with the sitter. As he works, he regales one with endless, glorious and sometimes scurrilous anecdotes of other people he has painted. In the period we spent together he also taught me so much about painting which I had forgotten, or didn't know, which was a huge help with my book.

Alan also puts a huge amount of himself into his portraits. But he appears so relaxed and is so entertaining as work is in progress that one is amazed at the end to find a picture of great beauty and sensitivity.

When I first saw my finished portrait I almost wept because he had made me so much more attractive and charming than I actually am. I would love to look like that all the time, but it's nice to know that perhaps I do occasionally. The portrait now hangs in our house in Gloucestershire, and everyone seems to love it.

I am sure Alan's book will encourage lots of people to pick up their paintbrushes and have a go at portrait painting and that they will find his advice invaluable.

Jilly Cooper