A black chalk drawing of Paul Sandby sitting on a stool, sketching. A boy behind, holding an umbrella over the artist. Inscribed in pen and ink below: 'Paul Sandby. by Parry.' and with an EVII stamp at lower left corner and a GV blind stamp lower right.

The Welsh artist William Parry was extensively patronised by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn whose estate was at Wynnstay in north Wales. Parry may have met Sandby in London, as he was enrolled at William Shipley's academy in 1759 and became a pupil to Joshua Reynolds, but it seems likely that this intimate drawing of Sandby sketching outside was made during one of Sandby's visits to Wynnstay, the first of which was in 1770. Sandby made a series of drawings and later aquatints of views around the Wynnstay estate. The portrait is a testament to the many friendships that the highly sociable Paul Sandby cultivated throughout his life.