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.

In the shade of the old Oak tree

 In the shade of the old Oak tree is another oil painting from Ystradfawr Nature Reserve. I really liked the big Oak tree with its lush green colour and the shade it offered. 

110.
In the shade of the old Oak tree
8 x 10 in / 20.5 x 25.5 cm
oil on panel
25th August 2025

Photo showing the finished painting in front of the tree

Fresh water

 Inspired by the water, I decided to paint it again in this sunny day.

107.
Fresh water
11.7 x 8.3 in / 29.7 x 21.1 cm
oil on panel
21st August 2025

Finished painting on the easel next to the subject

The water stream

The water stream is an alla prima painting that tries to capture the water stream movement and reflections during a dull afternoon in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve.

 

106.
The water stream
20.4 x 25.4 cm
oil on panel
20th August 2025

This is the first attempt to paint water in movement and I like it.

Real stream next to the painting

Towards the Brecon Beacons

 Towards the Brecon Beacons is an oil painting featuring a field in the farming grounds of Ystradfawr Nature Reserve. It is a field that attracted be for its being surrounded by trees and looking towards the mountains of the Brecon Beacons.

105.
Towards Brecon Beacons
6.1 x 13.1 in / 15.5 x 33.3 cm
oil on panel
19th August 2025

Photo taken of the finished painting in situ

The old tree

 The old tree features a majestic beautiful tree in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve near the gate at the end of a farming field.

I was intrigued by the play of light and reflections on the ground and on the tree trunk.

104.
The old tree
11.7 x 8.3 in / 29.7 x 21.1 cm
oil on panel
17th August 2025

Photo taken at the end of the painting session

Woodland footpath

Woodland Footpath is an oil painting completed within a limited timeframe of two hours — and in full sunlight.

100.
Woodland footpath
7.9 x 9.8 in / 20 x 25  cm
oil on panel
12th August 2025

It features a hidden footpath descending to Penrhos that I discovered by chance.
I like the meandering line winding around the gentle slope where a lonely tree stood.

The scene is in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve, Ystradgynlais.

Edge of the Woods

Edge of the Woods is a painting particularly dear to me, as it captures an idyllic vision of the Welsh countryside, with trees lining a gently descending slope.

99.
Edge of the woods
6.5 x 9.4 in / 16.4 x 24  cm
oil on panel
11th August 2025

I painted it while it was raining, and I loved the peace and tranquillity of the place. It’s located in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve and depicts the countryside between the woodland and Penrhos.

It was completed in a single painting session.

Walking path

Walking path is an oil painting created on an overcast day, when the light was flat and diffused.

I was exploring open land in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve, and this is the scene I chose to paint.

96.
Walking path

5.9 x 10.9 in / 15 x 27.7 cm
oil on panel

6th August 2025

This walking path crosses a beautiful stretch of farmland, and many people enjoy strolling there. The two figures I added in the painting are actually a couple who live on the same road as I do.

Picture taken at the end of the painting session.

I liked the idea of using an elongated panel for this landscape — it felt like a fitting format to reflect the path's gentle flow through the scenery.

Tuning with nature

Tuning with nature is a landscape I painted two days ago en plein air at Ystradfawr Nature Reserve, looking towards Clydach.

Using softer and more natural tones, I aimed to capture a moment in time - conveying the energy of the wind and the vibrancy of moving grass and foliage.

I loved painting it and being there, in direct connection with the elements — especially as it rained, too.

89.
Tuning with nature
oil on panel
10 x 8 in / 25.4 x 20.3 cm
14th July 2025

Nature is so powerful — it lifts our spirits every time we truly pay attention.

More details of brushstrokes can be seen in this Instagram post

The picture below was taken at the end of the painting session.

The painting is available and can be fund in the shop of my website.

Ystradfawr nature reserve

Ystradgynlais Nature Reserve is an oil plein air painting, mostly done on the spot yesterday and completed in the studio today.

My main aim is to respond spontaneously to the subject in front of me, while also trying to simplify everything—avoiding minor details and getting to the core of it.

I like it when I can leave the task of assembling the picture to the observer, so that they can see what they want to see when viewing it from a distance. Nothing is detailed; everything is suggested.

83.
Ystradfawr nature reserve
8 x 10 in / 20.32 x 25.40 cm
oil on board
11th June 2025

During the plein air painting session

If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please visit the shop on my website.