August

Description

August in the back garden

Bumblebees are easy enough to find in a Sheffield garden in August. In my back garden, they work through the lavender most days, landing, moving on, landing again. This one was caught mid-flight between two plants. A second later it was gone.

There are around 24 species of bumblebee in Britain, most of them in decline. A handful of the hardier ones (buff-tailed, white-tailed, common carder) are still regular visitors to Sheffield gardens, particularly on lavender and foxglove. Bumblebees pollinate many British wildflowers and garden plants. This bee’s exact species is uncertain, but it was doing what bumblebees do in August: working the lavender, getting on with it.

The photograph

It was a warm afternoon and the camera was close to hand. No stakeout, no tripod. Just the bee moving between plants and a moment that came out well enough to paint. I photographed it in my Sheffield back garden over the summer and used it as a reference a few months later.

The painting process

I painted this in my Sheffield home studio in a single session using oils on a 6×6″ Ampersand Gessobord panel. I filmed the whole process and may release it as a painting demonstration at some point. I’ll share updates on the website and social channels when it’s ready.

Framed or Unframed

Choose the framed option and it arrives ready to hang. The frame is natural ayous, a pale, lightweight hardwood, with a 7mm face and 21mm depth. The panel sits inside it with a 5mm gap all round, so the painted edge of the panel stays visible and the picture appears to float inside the frame rather than sitting against it. A flush mount is already fitted to the back for hanging.

If you would rather choose your own frame, you can buy it unframed. For advice please refer to How to Frame a Painting on a Panel.

Original artwork details

Specifications:

• Medium: Oil on Ampersand Gessobord panel
• Size: 6 × 6 inches (~ 15 × 15 cm)
• Depth: 0.3 cm (~ 1/8 inch)
• Available framed or unframed
• Framed size: approximately 17.6 × 17.6 cm (~ 7 × 7 inches)
• Frame: natural ayous, 7mm face, 21mm depth, 5mm float gap, flush mount fitted
• Year: 2026
• Signed on reverse

Shipping & care

Your painting will be carefully packaged and shipped via Royal Mail within 3-5 business days. Oil paintings on panel last for centuries when properly cared for. Keep it away from direct sunlight and damp.