For the last few months I have continued working in oils, mostly working on florals. I am very happy with the bright colours I can achieve, though sometimes the paint brush seems to run away with me – unlike pastel sticks that I find much easier to control.

A Trio of Daisies
Oil painting
30cm x 42cm

This painting has an acrylic underpainting in very bright colours that peep through in places. It also has patterns in a texture made from a thick layer of gesso. I used star-shaped pastry cutters to make some of the patterns.

Poinsettia Winter Joy
Oil painting
46cm x 61cm

This is a large painting of the poinsettia I had over the Christmas period – this may well become next year’s Christmas card. I really enjoyed painting all those bright reds!

Lillies in a Jug
Oil painting
41cm x 41cm

I found these lillies quite a struggle with their many different petals turning in different directions.

King of His Realm

I can’t stay away from animals for long and this stag was calling to me. It took me a long time to complete, and several times I had to put it to one side of the studio and let my brain slowly decide where I needed to go next. It has had a complete change of background, but I am quite happy with it now.

Water Hen, Bali

We went on holiday to Bali early in the year and, whilst there, visited an old friend in his home on the island. I was delighted by the water hens that lived at the bottom of his garden by a pond, and took several photos. This may not be the last water hen painting!

White Roses

Since then there have been more florals, including these white roses.