Hydrangeas and Nasturtiums

 Despite the heat and the drought, this summer has brought a triumph of flowers in the garden, and I just can’t get enough of them.

What I particularly love here is the texture of the bricks we used for this flower bed. They’re so irregular and beautifully variegated, and when the sunlight falls on them, they’re a joy to look at.

Of course, the flowers are the main attraction, especially the hydrangeas. After starting out such a pure white, they gradually become dusted with delicate shades of pink – a transformation that’s hard to describe in words. In this painting, though, they hadn’t yet begun that change.

194.
Hydrangeas and Nasturtiums
12 × 9 in / 30.5 × 22.5 cm
Oil on board
21st July 2026

Claire Austin rose

Claire Austin rose is inspired by the the great blooming season we are having this year. It is painted from direct observation in the garden and I gave the final touch in the studio.

193.
Claire Austin rose
10.2 × 8.9 in / 26 × 22.7 cm
oil on board
16th July 2026

Photo of the painting at the end of the plein air session.

Penny Lane roses

 Penny lane roses was the attempt to capture the sunlight on these beautiful roses in the garden.

192.
Penny Lane roses 
8.9 x 10.8 in / 22.5 x 27.5 cm
oil on board
14th July 2026

Under the green canopy

 Under the green canopy  is an oil study done in Ystradfawr Nature Reserve.

191.
Under the green canopy
6.1 x 8 in / 15.6 x 20.2 cm
oil on board
7th July 2026

Pink hydrangeas

 Pink hydrangeas is painted alla prima in the late afternoon. 

I tried to capture those beautiful rounded flowers when the sun touched them before setting down.

190.
Pink hydrangeas
9.9 x 7 in / 25.2 x 17.8 cm
oil on board
6th July 2026

Daisies in the garden

 Daisies in the garden is happy and sunny and I loved the contrast of colours and textures.

the painting on the easel in situ

189.
Daisies in the garden
10.2 x 8.9 in / 26 x 22.7 cm
oil on board
27th June 2026

View from the window

 View from the window is a quick sketch of a late afternoon made with the leftover paint. 

It is on oil paper as my aim was simply to enjoy the process of painting a view I look at every day and that I love so much, because of the lush trees and the green grass.

As I was painting from my living room, the light indoors was not enough to see well but I did my best.

188.
View from the window
12 x 10 in / 30.5 x 25.4 cm
Oil on paper
26th June 2026

Roses in the garden

Roses in the garden is the beginning of my study of roses. 

Painted all prima and in a rush to avoid the hot sun reaching me.

I like the immediacy and the hues.

187.
Roses in the garden
10 x 7.1 in / 24 x 18 cm
Oil on board
25th June 2026

painting on the easel on location during the heatwave