A Sunny Winter Day

 “A Sunny Winter Day” was painted on location in a new area I discovered some time ago above Coronation Park in Ystradgynlais.

Unfortunately, at this time of year it is not easy to walk up there, as much of the route is covered in marshy grass and mud. In the end, however, I found a lovely dry, sunlit patch of green grass from which I had a wonderful view.

149.
A Sunny Winter Day
Oil on wooden panel
9.4 × 7 in / 24 × 18 cm
25th November 2025

I began the painting using brushes, but then switched to a palette knife, which I used for the remainder of the work.

I really loved the rare sunny afternoon up on the hill. The colours of nature were vivid and varied, and the temperature was very mild.

Photo taken at the end of the painting session.

Trees and sunlight

Trees and Sunlight is an oil painting that was started on location and completed in the studio.

It depicts a group of trees bordering a field in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve, captured in the afternoon when the sun was shining brightly on their foliage and the surrounding grass.

This strong backlighting created an atmospheric glow behind the trees in the foreground. As I was painting contre-jour, I found it difficult to see my panel clearly, so I worked en plein air as much as possible before finishing the piece in the studio, relying on my visual memory.

I particularly enjoyed the warm sunshine and loved capturing the light as it touched the still-green leaves and grass.

142.
Trees and sunlight
8 x 10 in / 20.5 x 25.5 cm
Oil on panel
13th October 2025

Photo taken on location.