WITH MY OBSESSION for the paintings of the old masters and the never-ending fascination with the light and shadow they seem to capture, it’s no surprise that this has found its way into my painting style. Creating a still life composition comes quite naturally – having had a lot of practice in photography – but there is always something new to learn in every painting experience. As a full-time mother of two (and attempting to be a full-time artist at the same time!) it can be very much a stop-start process. In this feature, I will be showing you how I break this into stages. I absolutely lovevintage or antique items (usually charity shop finds). In this one, I’ve included a pewter tankard and plate, some silky fabric for light play and some delicious fruits. I’ve also added some vine leaves from the greenhouse to help with the flow of the composition. I’ve set myself quite a challenge as this arrangement is a busy one. I often work on small paintings of one or two objects, but it’s good to push oneself when time allows. Because I know that the painting is going to be completed over several sessions, I find that it’s important to take photos (my iPhone is sufficient) that I can use for reference. After all, when using fresh items in the heat of Summer, they may not look as perfect over the coming days.
