Victoria was eight years old when she began weekly drawing lessons with the portrait and history painter Richard Westall. After his death in 1836 she recorded that he was a ʻpatient, agreeable master, & a very worthy manʼ. Victoria often took those close to her, such as family members and pets (of which she was very fond), as her subjects. Her works also reflect her many enthusiasms. As Princess and then Queen she enjoyed visiting the theatre to see operas and ballets, and often sketched the scenes and actors she admired.