Les Thomas – the painter's progress | This site is intended as a record of my progress and development as a painter

Three New Paintings

Posted on October 12, 2023 by pobbles2000

These three oil paintings are now all framed up, on display and available for sale at Mimosa Gallery/Oriel Mimosa in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire (orielmimosa.com) The image size of each is 10″ x 10″.

Posted in Art, Painting | Tagged Art, art for sale, Gower, landscape, Mimosa gallery, Oil painting, Oriel Mimosa, painting, seascape., welsh art | Leave a comment

Late afternoon Autumnal walk, Caswell Bay

Posted on October 1, 2023 by pobbles2000

I’m not sure is this is finished or still a work in progress. It’s always difficult to know when to leave a painting and move on. I know I often overthink and overwork my paintings. I often just sit looking at the work for hours wondering what I can do to improve it. Someone has said that “overthinking is the biggest waste of human energy. Trust yourself, make a decision, and gain more experience. There is no such thing as perfect. You cannot think your way into perfection, just take action.” I think this is so true, especially with regard to painting, there ain’t no such thing as perfection.

Oil on canvas board, 18″x 9.5″.

Posted in Art, Oil painting | Tagged Art, autumn, beach, Gower, Gower Peninsula, landscape, Marine painting., National Trust, Oil painting, painting, rough sea, seascape., Swansea, Wales | Leave a comment

Carreg Cennen Castle, Llandeilo

Posted on July 31, 2023 by pobbles2000

10 x 10in oil painting of Carreg Cennen Castle near Llandeilo in Wales. This late 13th century castle has apparently been voted the most romantic ruin in Wales. Perched high on a limestone crag it has commanding views of the rolling hills of Carmarthenshire. This is one of a series of small paintings I’m currently working on.

Posted in Art, Oil painting, Wales | Tagged Art, Carmarthenshire, Castle, landscape, Llandeilo, Medieval, Oil painting, painting, Wales, welsh art, Welsh artists | 1 Comment

Work in progress…

Posted on June 6, 2023 by pobbles2000

This is an enlarged version of a work that sold last year, and is still very much a work in progress. It’s 24 x 24 inches, oil on canvas mounted on MDF – and that is BIG by my standards! It allows me the scope to have fun experimenting with painting tools other than brushes – such as painting knives and a trowel, silicon tools and a roller. You can see the results more clearly on the close-up details below.

I think it’s good to work at a different scale occasionally, just to shake things up and present myself with different challenges and opportunities. But the most important thing is that I’m enjoying the experience.

Posted in Art, Oil painting, Painting, seascape | Tagged Art, Gower, Marine painting., National Trust, Oil painting, painting, seascape., Swansea, Wales, welsh art | Leave a comment

Langland Bay Painting Commission

Posted on March 23, 2023 by pobbles2000

A recently commissioned painting of Langland Bay now hanging in the Liz Baker Dialysis Unit of Morriston Hospital, Swansea. The painting commemorates the life and work of Liz Baker who was the dedicated and passionate renal matron of the unit from 1985 to her untimely death in 2017.

Posted in Art, Gower, Oil painting, Painting | Tagged Art, Gower, Langland Bay, Marine painting., Morriston, Morriston hospital, NHS, Oil painting, painting, seascape, Wales | 1 Comment

Mimosa Gallery, Llandeilo

Posted on February 4, 2023 by pobbles2000

Just three of a selection of my paintings that are currently on show and for sale at Oriel Mimosa Gallery in Llandeilo.

Posted in Art, Gower, Painting | Tagged Art, art gallery, Gower, landscape, Marine painting., Mimosa gallery, National Trust, Oil painting, painting, seascape., Wales, welsh art, Welsh artists, Welsh coast, Welsh coastal path | Leave a comment

Swansea Open 2023

Posted on January 24, 2023 by pobbles2000

Delighted to learn that both these paintings I entered for the Swansea Open have been selected. The show runs from this Saturday to April 16 at The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.

Posted in Art, Painting | Tagged Art, art exhibition, art for sale, contemporary art, exhibition, Gower, landscape, Marine painting., maritime art, National Trust, Oil painting, painting, seascape., Swansea, Wales, welsh art, Welsh artists | Leave a comment

Squally showers kinda day, Rhossili

Posted on December 12, 2022 by pobbles2000

This is another variation on a viewpoint I’ve painted many times, on the clifftops overlooking the sweep of Rhossili sands with the downs in the background.

12x12inches. Oil on canvas board.

Posted in Art, Gower, Painting | Tagged Art, cliffs, Gower, landscape, Marine painting., National Trust, Oil painting, painting, Rhossili, seascape., Swansea, Wales | Leave a comment

Autumn light, Caswell Bay, Gower

Posted on November 25, 2022 by pobbles2000

A showery kind of autumn day, still mild enough for a paddle. A different format for me, a double square, 20 x 10 inches, Oil on canvas board.

Posted in Art, Gower | Tagged Art, beach, coast, Coastal painting, Gower, Gower coast, Marine painting., Oil painting, painting, rough sea, seascape., Surfing, Swansea, Wales, waves, Welsh coastal path | Leave a comment

Two paintings from Cornwall

Posted on October 31, 2022 by pobbles2000

Rocks on Porthmeor beach, St Ives. 8″x8″. Oil paint on calico laid on panel.

Smeaton’s pier, St Ives. 8″x8″. Oil paint on calico laid on panel.

Two paintings from a few years back made on a painting trip to Cornwall. They may not be to everyone’s taste, but I like the simplicity – the restricted palette, limited detail, nice textures and uncomplicated design.

Posted in Art, Cornwall, Painting | Tagged Art, beach, beaches, coast, Coastal painting, Cornwall, landscape, Marine painting., Oil painting, painting, St Ives | Leave a comment

Les Thomas – the painter's progress