From My Camera Roll (Patreon)

This was book launch week, and where better to be than surrounded by keen watercolour painters (and a private chef!) at my second Scotland retreat of the year!

The hosts at Rachel's Farm put on a lovely celebration in our afternoon tea break on launch day.

Our chef for the week Andrew is also a celebrated pastry chef and jumped at the chance to make lemon choux buns, inspired by the lemon on the front of the book. They were delicious and rather messy!

I'm now home from a lovely week with a very special bunch of ladies. Thank you to everyone who has painted with me in Scotland this year, you've been so inspiring to me.

One of the retreat days involves an outing to Stirling Castle. Guests have the option to paint with me in the Queen Anne Gardens and try flowers growing in situ rather than cut in a vase. I really enjoyed getting stuck into a detailed selection of flowers: zinnia, california poppy and a type of geranium that looks like it's been scribbled on!

The sky was pure blue and there were so few clouds all week. I would like to thank the weather in Scotland for being truly out of character and allowing lots of outdoor painting days on both trips!

The Book made number 1! Thank you to everyone who has pre ordered or bought a copy. And for those of you patiently waiting for the publication date around the world, thank you! It's worth the wait!

I enjoyed one more day in Edinburgh which was mostly spent in my hotel room, resting, watching the womens rugby and listening to the Ryder Cup drama unfold. But I did manage a visit to the Andy Goldsworthy 50 Years exhibition which was breathtaking.

Back home we are into the final week of the Patreon Apple Orchard - Final part on Wednesday for Sweet Pea and above members.

And finally, on Youtube this week we have our Christmas product launches but I was required to do this painting of a carnation for a very special reason...all to be revealed very soon!