Castle Howard walled garden, 22nd July, 2015.

Plein air oil on canvas board, 12 x 10 inches.

Here is a quick sketch of part of the walled garden at Castle Howard. In fact I think I need to "improve" this one a little as it was rushed. Lots of campanula created drifts of pale blue and mauve reaching quite a height. The narrow path border comprised a box hedge at one side enclosing a through path and lavender at the other. A white rose climbed up the obelisk framework in the left foreground and a red rose could just be made out climbing another obelisk in the distance.An inner wall at the head of the path supported another white rose with pink roses lower down. Really this was a lot to do in a short time. The pale blue grey tree behind the white framework needs som shadow adding to help descibe it's form, so I will maybe add this. The picture is a little dreamy and looks good in the flesh as we say. I like the campanula with it's floppy presence amongst the ordered angular avenues of regimented planting. Here and there, varied roses are planted to add a sparkle of interest amongst the many blues. The lavender provides an interesting break from the green path and the green foliage of the campanula and roses. A beautiful spot. The weather was dull compared to recent days and increasing drizzle forced people to open their umbrellas and, of course, meant an early finish, hence a little incomplete.