A FORMER Desert Rat discovered a hidden talent for painting pictures of Sussex landscapes after turning 100.

Henry Brettell had never sat in front of an easel in his life until he attended art therapy classes.

Now he is producing impressive canvases to the surprise and delight of his art teacher and friends.

Mr Brettell, a resident at Fourways Nursing Home in Peacehaven, has been taking part in the workshops with Brighton-based teacher Jane Ling every Tuesday afternoon.

Amanda McGovern, owner of the home in Bramber Avenue, said: “At first he wasn’t keen at all. He was very stubborn and didn’t want to get involved but now he thoroughly looks forward to it and has found a love for art.

“He has emerged as a very talented artist. The paintings are just amazing and he is thoroughly enjoying the classes.”

Mr Brettell, who moved to the home little more than a year ago for help with daily care, particularly enjoys depicting landscapes such as the South Downs, where he used to enjoy walking.

The former tank commander was born in South Shields in 1914 and was part of General Montgomery’s Desert Rats, which drove back German forces in North Africa. After being demobbed in 1946, he met his wife Mary and moved to Hangleton, Hove.

He retrained as a decorator and worked for various different employers across Brighton and Hove and Sussex until his retirement but had never tried artistic painting. Now he regularly produces canvas artwork using acrylic paints.

Art teacher Ms Ling, who works across Sussex introducing nursing and care home residents to art, said she was surprised and impressed at how Mr Brettell took to the classes.

She said: “Henry is remarkable. He had never painted in his life and he had no real knowledge about art either.

“He is just incredible in that he has a sense of where to put the colours and using light and shade.

“Watching him paint and seeing the end result is like watching someone who has done it their whole life.”