Painter's diary

These beautiful pale yellow tulips fade to white as they age. The pink tips on the petals are an interesting feature and fade with the yellow.

I was inspired to paint this after seeing them growing at West Dean College near Chichester where I attended an art course in January. It flowers from May to July and is so called because the leaves give off an unpleasant smell if they are bruised or crushed. Found in woods or hedgerows the bright colours of the seed heads and leaves make it an attractive subject.

This decaying ivy leaf had developed beautiful colours in the depths of winter.

This impressive mushroom was found growing in a grassy area. The cap can grow to 18cm across.

Last weekend I attended a course at West Dean College in Chichester entitled ‘Painting Texture and Detail in Nature’. This is a composition I worked on. I chose the subjects because the colours complimented each other and they made a pleasing composition.

I loved painting this small, colourful squash.

Lots of interest in my work at this busy craft fair in Leatherhead over the weekend, with some good card sales.