Arches, Light and Shadows

 Arches, Light and Shadows is an oil painting featuring the "Y Bont Aur” or “The Golden Bridge”, these monumental arches are what remains of the Ynyscedwyn Ironworks in Ystradgynlais.

I’ve always admired them when driving past, so I finally made the trip to see them a few days ago — just before the sun decided to disappear.

It was the cast shadows that really inspired me, creating a striking contrast against the fresh spring grass and echoing the rhythm of those majestic columns.

171.
Arches, Light and Shadows
Oil on board
8.2 x 6.2 in / 20.8 x 15.8 cm
23rd March 2026

Photo of the finished painting on the easel in front of the real arches

Bare Tree in the Spring Afternoon Light

 Bare Tree in the Spring Afternoon Light  is an oil painting done alla prima and from life in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve.

I was drawn to the water stream first and then I saw the tree and it looked to me as a good composition.

I aimed to be as minimal and simplified as possible.

170.
Bare Tree in the Spring Afternoon Light 
Oil on board
8.2 x 6.1 in / 20.7 x 15.5 cm
20th March 2026

Photo taken at the end of the painting session 

Clothesline in the Spring Light

 Clothesline in the Spring Light is an oil painting featuring my clothesline in the garden.

As the weather was good I decided to give it a go as aiming to simplify the scene and depicting the waving clothes.

Painted from life in two different sessions, thanks to two consecutive sunny days.

169.
Clothesline in the Spring Light
Oil on board
9.9 x 9.8 in / 25.2 x 25 cm
19th March 2026

Day 1

Day 2

Tulips in Lampshade Light

 Tulips in Lampshade Light is an oil painting featuring a bunch of tulips in a glass vase next to a blue lamp with the light on.

I loved the idea of using electric light to create nice colour and light effects. Painted alla prima and from life.

168.
Tulips in Lampshade Light
Oil on board
8.3 x 6.1 in / 21 x 15.5 cm
16th March 2026

Photo taken at the end of the painting session

Tulips in the Gloomy Light

 Tulips in the Gloomy Light is painted from life during a dull day. It is the interior of my living room and the subject are actually the tulips in the vase as they bring colour to the scene.

I tried to simplify and say enough. Painted alla prima and from life.  

167.
Tulips in the Gloomy Light
Oil on board
9.8 x 7.9 in / 24.8 x 19.7 cm
14th March 2026

Photo of the finished painting on the easel

Daffodils in the Garden Pot

 Daffodils in the Garden Pot is an oil painting done from life and alla prima.

My focus was capturing the Spring flowers in a simplified way.

166.
Daffodils in the Garden Pot
Oil on board
9.8 x 7.8 in / 25 x 19.8 cm
9th March 2026

Photo of the painting on the easel and its subject

Spring Is Coming

 Spring Is Coming is an oil painting capturing the freedom of some daffodils out in the garden.

I really wanted to capture their bright glow against the shaded cement and bric fence and the foliage.

Painted alla prima and from life.

165.
Spring is Coming
Oil on board
8 x 7.8 in / 20.2 x 19.9
4th March 2026

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Photo taken at the end of the painting session when the light had already moved

Prayer Plant in the Sunshine

 Prayer Plant in the Sunshine is an oil painting featuring the Maranta Leuconeura Erythroneura plant lit by the sunshine coming from the window behind. 

Painted from life.

I loved the glow all around the plant and the table surface.

164.
Prayer Plant in the Sunshine
Oil on board
9.8 x 9.8 in / 25 x 25 cm
1st March 2026

Photo of the finished painting next to the plant