Well Dave,
I think you need to sketch it with a Pentax *istDS or a Canon 350D!! When you get more serious and don't wish to fingerpaint much more then you can move on up to the watercolours of the 20Da and the Derwent masters pencils!
As for ythe Dunny Seat mate, your on a loosing battle there, who cooks, who cleans, who observes!!!!