I have begun this painting by using charcoal to sketch the little flowers I can see from the verandah – drawing in plein aire, so to speak. I don’t want this drawing to formulate the painting – even though I have sketched an idea, I want the oil paints to take over and dictate the composition. I think it is interesting to watch the progression of a painting, and sometimes it changes totally. The size of the canvas won’t change though – this one is 75cm by 90cm.