Artist-in-Residence Blog: Jonathan Pomroy Captures Changes of Spring

I’ve been spending a lot of time at Yorkshire Arboretum as artist in residence, catching up on the many changes as spring progresses. A subject I have been really keen to paint is shadows of branches on tree trunks. From the start of my residency I began to notice the strength of tone in these shadows on larger oaks in particular. Tonally they are as strong as the branches themselves often continuing over the ground around the tree. They make a fascinating subject sometimes forming some really interesting shapes. It has become something of an obsession, the painting process feeling almost abstract at times although very much the result of life observation.

The shadows of bare branches are a particular feature of winter and early spring so I have been making these studies in anticipation of emerging foliage. It really teaches you to draw what you see rather than what you think you know. Painting a dark shadow of a branch on a trunk can at first seem daunting, but with careful observation of the subject you start to realise that this is what we see all the time. Next time you pass a large tree try looking at the shadows rather than the bark and you may see what I mean.

It has been a delight to be in the grounds as spring advances. A visit on March 22nd came after an intense early frost (-5.7C). By mid morning the sun felt really warm in a light breeze- one of those early spring days when for the first time in a long time you realise that you are overdressed. The goat willows were in full bloom and heaving with insects, especially queen buff-tailed bumble bees. Amongst them up to four small tortoiseshells nectaring on the flowers. I stood mesmerised by the sight, sound and smell. suddenly after a long cold winter the warmth hit me. The sight of the yellow flowers and orange tortoiseshells against a cerulean blue sky was a true tonic.

A single chiffchaff freshly arrived belted out its name from a nearby ash, those two rather plaintive notes repeated over and over again pure joy to my ears. I had good views and managed a few sketches of this restless bird. The lake has a pair of little grebes. I spent some time sketching these incredibly fluffy grebes with their gorgeous burnt sienna cheeks. Patient observation enabled me to find the nest site which will soon be hidden by emerging leaves.

I continue to be very inspired by time spent at the arboretum and work is piling up now. Painting trees and trying to find their ‘character’ without painting every branch and twig is a great challenge. I look at the essential proportions of the tree and search for the areas of greatest tonal contrast. Some trees really do feel like friends after time spent intensely observing them, all so different to one another. The sheer brilliance of spring foliage is really kicking in now and my challenge will be to record this. Also to search for areas where birds are nesting. I have been pleased to find reed buntings and chiffchaffs holding territories in the grounds and time will tell what else there is to discover as spring turns to summer. I am really looking forward to walking and sketching in the grounds at dawn in May to experience an arboretum dawn chorus- watch this space.

Artist-in-Residence Blog: Jonathan Pomroy relishes Time at the arboretum

Since becoming Artist-in-Residence at the Yorkshire Arboretum in November 2020, Jonathan Pomroy has been relishing the long and quiet winter months in the grounds. Read his latest blog entry below:

“I have been relishing having the arboretum to myself over the winter months, a real privilege. I am really getting to know hidden areas and have watched the change from autumn through to winter. I have concentrated on different parts of the eco system and particularly enjoyed sketching fungi, especially the many fly agarics which were common around areas of birch. My life long passion for birds has seen me look at the relationship birds have with trees. This autumn the hornbeam crop was very sparse so hawfinches have not been as abundant as they have been in previous winters. However I was fortunate to see a small flock in October and had some incredible views of this scarce and enigmatic finch. Crossbills, another member of the finch family, have been seen around the grounds on larches and firs alike and siskins and redpolls often feed in alders or birch. I have watched winter visiting redwings and fieldfares arrive and feed around the grounds. As winter arrived and leaves dropped smaller species of resident birds became easier to see. I have often found myself accompanied by treecreepers or goldcrests as I sit and sketch. A little owl that favoured some of the large chestnuts has been a delight to draw- we have spent long periods staring at each other! A female kingfisher has frequented the arboretum lake often feeding from the board walk area.

I have relished sketching the trees in autumn and winter. In winter I particularly love the play of shadows of branches on tree trunks, a subject that will feature in my end of year exhibition. Some trees are already like friends. The medieval holly by the perimeter wall is inspiring to draw and just to ponder upon. I watched its beautiful scarlet berries being eaten by redwings and wondered how birds may have fed on its fruit over hundreds of years, and also how widely those birds will have dispersed its seeds? Some of the old sweet chestnuts are like huge wooden figures- magnificent. My knowledge of trees has grown immensely and my respect for them is now immeasurable. Over the years I have tended to draw more open landscapes, but sketching the woodland environment has become a new passion. Trees are so complicated in structure and finding a way to portray them without including every detail has been a great challenge. Sitting and sketching them I really learn to appreciate the structure of individual trees and like any portrait I try to do their character justice.”

Jonathan Pomroy Joins Yorkshire Arboretum as Artist-in-Residence

The Yorkshire Arboretum has announced that artist and birding enthusiast Jonathan Pomroy will begin a year-long tenure as Artist-in-Residence.

Based in Gilling East, Jonathan has been a regular visitor to the arboretum since moving to the area in 2010 with the highlight being the first to see the rare, large flock of Hawfinches that settled there over the winter in 2017/18. Working predominantly in watercolour, but also experimenting with oils, charcoal and pencil, Jonathan’s exhibition will emphasise the benefits to us all of observing nature throughout the year.

In his own words, “I have already been putting the hours in as artist-in-residence. How could I miss the splendour of autumn? I have relished painting the landscapes and getting to know the hidden corners and individual trees. I am keen to heighten awareness of the relationship birds have with trees – the last few weeks have seen many sketching visits, sometimes for Hawfinches, but also Redwings, Fieldfares, Goldcrests and that pine specialist, the Crossbill.”

As part of his residency, Jonathan will engage with visitors through social media and blogging regularly from the arboretum, as well as running small outdoor workshops – dates will be confirmed in the New Year.

An exhibition of the body of work Jonathan produces during his year-long residency will run from Friday 17th September to Monday 18th October 2021, featuring original paintings, prints and other merchandise.

Stay up to date with Jonathan by following him on social media: Twitter @JonathanMPomroy Instagram @PomroyJonathan