This exhibition presents watercolours by Jonathan Sainsbury inspired by the iconic Ladybird books "What to Look for in Winter/Spring/Summer/Autumn". Published in 1959-60, the books were written by EL Grant Watson and illustrated by C F Tunnicliffe, and highlighted the seasonal changes in the landscape and wildlife.
Over the past two years, Jonathan has sought to respond to the original illustrations, retelling the stories of the seasons. He explains: “I wanted to put my own slant on this classic series in tribute to them and to Nature. I am a huge admirer of Tunnicliffe as a field artist and since childhood I have devoted my life to painting the same natural world.”
Jonathan initially worked exclusively in sepia watercolour, responding directly to Tunnicliffe’s illustrations and trying to keep step with the unfolding seasons. Working in monochrome allowed him to work faster, but also seemed appropriate. Like black and white photography, sepia abstracts from reality to create something timeless. Now in the second year of the project, Jonathan has created some larger paintings in colour that seek to encapsulate each season, as well as some specifically Scottish scenes, with different landscapes and wildlife to the Tunnicliffe originals which were based largely on Anglesey.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
READ MOREDelve into the Museum of Childhood’s book collection and explore the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age.
READ MOREImpression & Expression is a new exhibition at Coburg House on 3rd & 4th May, showcasing five Coburg House artists exploring the boundaries of painting and printmaking.
READ MOREKatharine Le Hardy returns to &Gallery in May with an exciting new body of work for her solo presentation!
READ MOREEdinbrick is back for 2025! Edinburgh's biggest LEGO Model Show, will be held on the weekend of the 10th and 11th of May at Meadowbank Sports Centre.
READ MORECatch the Grain and Groove Art Exhibition by young Edinburgh based artists, showcasing their handcrafted designs, at Dr Neil's Garden in Duddingston from 10th to 14th May!
READ MOREGrid is an exciting new works by painter and printmaker, Alan Chapman, and contemporary jeweller, Eleanor Symms at Coburg House Art Studios on Saturdays & Sundays from 10th to 18th May.
READ MOREYour Art World is a colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland, at the National Galleries of Scotland: National.
READ MOREA photographic documentation of the 500+ Palestinian villages across Mandatory Palestine that were depopulated during the Nakba in 1948 and subsequently destroyed by the Zionist settler state.
READ MORE