The Prince of Wales has described how he finds painting so relaxing that it “transports me into another dimension”, as the largest ever display of his artwork is staged.

Seventy-nine of Charles’s watercolours – the first full exhibition of his work in the medium – are being exhibited at The Garrison Chapel in Chelsea, London.

The atmospheric paintings depict Scottish landscapes such as the Huna Mill in John O’Groats and Glen Callater near Balmoral, and outdoor scenes from Provence in the south of France and Tanzania in East Africa – one the prince’s favourite places to paint.

In a display panel, Charles reveals how the hobby “refreshes parts of the soul which other activities can’t reach”, and how he started painting after finding little joy in photography.

Of the therapeutic benefits, he writes: “You become increasingly aware of things that may have escaped your attention previously – things like the quality of light and shade, of tone and texture and of the shape of buildings in relation to the landscape.

“It all requires the most intense concentration and, consequently, is one of the most relaxing and therapeutic exercises I know.

“In fact, in my case, I find it transports me into another dimension which, quite literally, refreshes parts of the soul which other activities can’t reach.”