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.

SEPTEMBER STRADA EASEL CHALLENGE

September has quite literally been a challenge, as I took part in the Strada Easel Challenge.

It meant creating one painting from life every single day throughout the month — and I ended up with a full collection of 30 artworks.

I took on this challenge to push myself through an intensive painting practice, to keep learning and growing, and ultimately to create a brand-new collection of paintings that I hope you’ll enjoy.

30 paintings created during the Strada Easel September 2025 Challenge by Valentina Teghillo.
© Valentina Teghillo

You can view and purchase them on my website via this link.

Porcelain English Springer Spaniel

 Porcelain English Springer Spaniel is a small still life featuring a little dog figurine of an English Springer Spaniel.

111
Porcelain English Springer Spaniel
3.9 x 6.5 in / 10 x 16.5 cm
oil on panel
27th August 2025

I loved the fact it represents a dog dear to me and a precious object, plus its colours and reflections.

The painting next to the figurine

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

Down the valley, Ystradgynlais

 Down the valley, Ystradgynlais is a landscape oil painting featuring Ystradgynlais from above. 

109.
Down the valley, Ystradgynlais
6.7 x 8.5 in / 16.9 x 21.5 cm
oil on panel
24th August 2025

Photo at the end of the day with the painting on the easel

Looking down Swansea Valley

 Looking down Swansea Valley is the result of walking up the hill and discovering a stunning view.

108
Looking down Swansea Valley
8.3 x 11.7 in / 29.7 x 21.1 cm
oil on panel
22nd August 2025

It features two hills: Mynydd Allt y Grug on the right and Varteg on the left.

Photo at the end of the painting session

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