The Country Lane is an oil painting depicting a lane I discovered a few days ago behind Callwen Church, in the Upper Tawe Valley.
I was drawn to its rural atmosphere and the gentle, meandering course of the little road winding through this peaceful countryside.
 |
| 143. The Country Lane 10 x 8 in / 25.5 x 20.5 cm Oil on panel 19th October 2025 |
I like it when the colours reflect those found in real life.
%20(1).jpg) |
| Photo at the end of the painting session on location |
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 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.
Summer Garden represents the peak of our first year of gardening, when the plants and flowers we planted earlier in the year reveal their full summer beauty.
In this alla prima oil painting, I wanted to capture what I think is the nicest part of the garden (for now), thanks to the slightly curved stone steps that lead from the patio to the lawn.
The corner they form with the short back wall is the perfect spot for this terracotta-coloured pot. Its delicate, slightly pinkish flowers are pretty little bursts of colour that bring joy to the viewer.
The cast shadows and the brightly sunlit parts of the wall added that extra touch of interest and gave me the inspiration to capture the scene as quickly as possible.
 |
| 146. Summer Garden 29.7 x 21 cm / 11.7 x 8.3 in Oil on wooden panel 31st August 2025 |
 |
| A monochrome photo of the painting |
 |
| Photo taken at the end of the painting session. |
Porcelain English Springer Spaniel is a small still life featuring a little dog figurine of an English Springer Spaniel.
.jpg) |
| 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.
.jpg) |
| The painting next to the figurine |
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 |
.jpg) |
| Photo showing the finished painting in front of the tree |
Down the valley, Ystradgynlais is a landscape oil painting featuring Ystradgynlais from above.
.jpg) |
| 109. Down the valley, Ystradgynlais 6.7 x 8.5 in / 16.9 x 21.5 cm oil on panel 24th August 2025 |
.jpg) |
| Photo at the end of the day with the painting on the easel |
Looking down Swansea Valley is the result of walking up the hill and discovering a stunning view.
.jpg) |
| 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.
.jpg) |
| Photo at the end of the painting session |
