Tuesday 2 October 2012

Conker time

Painter Jane Tomlinson is fascinated by the natural world; the big things and the little things. Right now it's conker time and Jane has been gathering conkers dropped by the horse chestnut tree in the middle of the Eynsham churchyard to make a study of them. Jane shows us the process of making her painting of conkers. 
1. Firstly, I start by drawing out the composition and block in the colours very roughly.
2. The next thing is to 'anchor' the conkers with shadows,or they just become random shapes floating in a sea of white. I added a few highlights on the shiny nuts and began the leaves.
3. I strengthen the shadows and redraw the top leaves more accurately.
4. More details, including softening the edges of the shadows, the whirly grain on the front conker and the spikes and bruises on the outside of each fruit, and then it's done!

'Conkers' by Jane Tomlinson - 30cm x 30cm - acrylic on canvas - £95




Jane will be exhibiting this and many more paintings of the natural world during Eynsham's Winter Artweekend at 18 Newland Close, Eynsham, OX29 4LE.