SUBTLE, skilful work is what characterises the paintings of Graham Hadlow. In Tenby, he shows 40 new watercolours - fresh and delicate depictions of wide land and seascapes, grand mountains and intimate images of Pembrokeshire.

Graham is a well-known figure in the county, having taught pottery and been head of art at Greenhill School for years, been a fisherman and champion fly-tier, and a football player, and having shown his paintings in galleries across South Wales.

Now he is a full-time artist, a tutor of adult students and demonstrator to art clubs and societies in the elusive medium of watercolour. For anyone trying to control water with a brush on paper (and create something recognisable) Graham makes the process manageable for beginners and gradually introduces advanced techniques regarding light, reflections and water.

In Graham's own paintings, light is rendered precisely: strong sunlight and shadows as in Tenby Harbour; soft sunsets as in paintings of Nevern Estuary, Marloes Sands and Solva; the reflected light from snow on mountains, castles and cottages; and cool moonlight on townscapes and estuary scenes.

Water is represented in variety in Graham's work. The still waters of the sluice in Tenby and the millpond at Carew contrast with the rushing streams of Dartmoor and at Cenarth. The sea is shown as calm, incoming or at spring tide, alongside the beaches of Newport, Fresh West and Amroth, and lapping into harbours, estuaries and pills.

The inclusion of water and wet ground, mud or sand, offers the challenge to the artist of showing reflections of light, natural features, buildings and skies - easily achieved by this master and emulated by his students.

Rarely peopled, except for fishermen 'escaping' for the day to Amroth or Freshwater, distant boatmen and occasional farmers, the paintings have a sense of peace, however rough the sea or squally the sky. There is contentment in Graham Hadlow's painted world. Things are shown as they are, without tricks or exaggeration, simply the artist's touch in minute observation, clever composition and creating the mood.

The exhibition, 'New paintings by Graham Hadlow', shows at The White Lion Street Gallery in Tenby from April 1 to 28. The gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm every day except for Wednesdays. For further information, telephone 01834 843375.

The entire exhibition can be viewed on the gallery website: http://www.artmatters,org,uk">www.artmatters,org,uk