As it was far too wet to do any serious painting outside today, even from the comfort of the car, I was staring out of the window wondering if the rain would ever stop, when the Hyacinths in the garden caught my eye. I decided to try and sketch one through the window, and the rain drops.

I used mostly Cerulean Blue, French Ultramarine and Winsor Violet for the flowers and Winsor Lemon or New Gamboge and French Ultramarine for the leaves. I also dropped in some violet into the green where I wanted it dark.

Painted in a Stillman and Birn Beta series softback sketchbook.

If there is one thing that can be said to be predictable about our weather, it is that it is always unpredictable!

Easter is the time when gardeners like to get out into the garden after winter and do what they do best – sowing the seeds to provide bumper crops of flowers and vegetables for later in the year. However it has been so cold and wet of late that nothing much can be sown directly into the ground.

One small sign of hope has appeared in the kitchen – these Morning Glory seedlings have shot up this week, and there are signs that other seeds may not be too far behind. We might just have to bring the garden inside this year!