Figs love to hide. You can search the tree and be sure there are none ready to pick. Too small, too hard, you think, but a more thorough search, lifting every branch and every leaf from top to bottom, will often reveal hidden treasures you thought non-existent. But how do they manage to hide for so long when they are so big, and couldn’t possibly remain invisible?

The lovely rose/magenta/violet against the pale lemon green rim of the inside of the fruit is a joy, and once you have painted them – you can eat them!

Coffee shops are wonderful places for sketching people, as you know they are likely to be there for a while without moving too much. If they are engrossed with their phone (younger people), reading a newspaper (older generation) or simply sitting alone with their thoughts, so much the better, as they are less likely to notice you. The last thing you want is for them to be aware of being stared at. I went straight into a small pocket sketch book with a fibre tip pen and added colour later. It’s probably best not to spend too much time on each person, and don’t worry too much about any mistakes. Some work better than others, most are complete disasters, but whatever you do, don’t give up.

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They are not meant to be portraits. I am sure no-one would recognize themselves, but if I can create a sense that there might be an interesting story behind some of these figures, then I am happy!

The outlook is gloomy for the next few days, but I took a chance and carried my sketchbook out along the byways. I liked these trees but I had to sketch them from the other side of the gate, as the field is still too sodden for the usual amount of footfall.

A Perfect Summer’s Day

The recent weather has not been compatible with watercolour painting on location. There were lots of places I had hoped to have been by now, but so far July has been a wash out. Not just wet, but sudden, unpredictable drenching, can’t-see-in-front-of-you, drain flooding torrents. Not fun. I’ve been re-imagining previous paintings/sketches to remind myself of perfect Summer days of the past, and hoping it will not be long before we experience something like them again.

This sketch, from this afternoon, was from the edge of a field which has been left unmown and ungrazed to encourage more wild flowers and wildlife. There is certainly more pollen blowing around, and at the moment, a lot more horse flies which are reluctant to let go once they have sunk their fangs into you! A useful information gathering sketch from among the thistles, and lovely to be outside.

The Anemones came just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, and are a welcome addition to the garden. I am hoping they will survive the strong wind which arrived at the same time.

The old Catholic Church was built in the 1960’s, before which meetings took place in private homes. It was originally built to double as the church hall when a more substantial building was erected. Sadly this never happened. It closed in 2022 and now sits in it’s little plot of land with a ‘Sold’ sign by the gate.

The north door of St Edward’s Church in Stow on the Wold, stands diminutive between two sturdy tree trunks, as strong as a Giant’s legs, straddling the entrance, protecting it from harm. No wonder many people believe this place inspired Tolkien in his portrayal of a secret world.

Images from the showground at Malvern yesterday during the final day of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Festival.Looked at plants and planting, gaining ideas for our own plot. Looked at Show Gardens, LOTS of plants, pots, planters, bulbs, new varieties, bees and bugs, water features, more plants, tools, displays… and managed to do some sketching. Although the ground was wet, the sky was clear and it was a lovely way to spend the day!

The tulips have done well this year, especially these which were grown in a pot. Although we expected them to be a different colour, it really doesn’t matter. I love the way they turned their tight little heads and relaxed their petals as they bathed in the sun.