Friends have paid tribute to a much-loved local artist after his death.

Richard William Bruff, born on February 20, 1928, was a jazz musician and played the saxophone and clarinet, and he also loved to sail.

He had a love for art, was a ‘prolific’ watercolour and acrylic painter, and helped to set up the Friday Life Drawing group at Harbour House, which he ran for many years.

Jean Lock, who was co-founder of the Friday Life Drawing Group along with Dick wrote: “Richard Bruff, affectionately known as Dick to all of his many friends, has died.

“Harbour House owes him a great debt of gratitude for the part he played in setting up and running the life painting and drawing group, which has now been running for more than 20 years.

“When this house, formally the old conservative club, was first acquired by the trust for the people of Kingsbridge, Dick was in one of the small groups of people who came together to mould and shape it into the thriving centre of the arts it has become.

“It was his inspiration to start the Friday group in the new studio created, and to bring together both life models and painters. For this, we will always hold him in the greatest esteem, and will miss his gentle and humorous approach to life, welcoming everyone of all abilities into the group of enthusiastic would-be artists.

“His taste in music during the sessions was sometimes greeted with groans, but everyone accepted this as part of this hugely loveable and gentle man. He will be sorely missed.

“One of our group summed up what we all felt, and said that he was “a graceful example of what our generation can be at its best.”

Jo Pelly, Harbour House director, said: “Dick, with Jean Lock and other artists, started up the Friday Life Drawing sessions when the Harbour House Art Studio opened in 1997.

“There was no tutor. Dick knew how to help and encourage newcomers unobtrusively so we could draw or paint in our own style, large or small, neat and tidy, or bold and loose. These Friday sessions have continued to inspire, challenge and gladden hundreds of local artists at HH for more than 20 years.

“His own enthusiasm and skill set a tone of intense but relaxed concentration for the group. He sensitively managed the models, cleverly choosing poses to awaken the artists’ attention, followed after tea-break by longer poses calling for deeper analysis.

“He encouraged people to experiment. Above all, Dick’s regular weekly presence transmitting his cheerful faith in the value or creative artwork set a most valuable institution at the heart of Harbour House.

“Over a long life, and especially after retirement, Dick painted hundreds of watercolours expressing his love of the sea, estuary, river, boats and weather conditions.

“His artistic capability was uncontaminated by formal art school. Membership of the Plymouth Watercolour Society with occasional tutored demonstration weekends provided him with what’s required for proficient watercolour work out of doors and in the studio.

“Some of his delightful paintings cheer patients in waiting rooms of Derriford Hospital and many of us treasure some in our own homes.

“The life group carries on, so Dick’s gift to the South Hams artists continues unabated.”