I've been keeping the vase in my studio topped up with all the wonderful spring natives that are so abundant at the moment. I picked up these glorious King Proteas, beautiful Banksias and spiky pine tree-like Leucadendrons from the local florist last week, and have been making some lively sketches of them in paint including this larger than usual piece in limited hues of blues/teals and pinks.

I enjoy working in limited colours using calligraphy brushes to vary the paint consistency from thick to watery wash, and varying the speed of my brush strokes from deliberate and controlled to fast and expressive. The result is a still life that has a fresh energetic vibe to it.