Natural Beauty

Cape Town artist Shaune Rogatschnig has a clearly focussed approach to her art as she captures the lush textures and colours of our local flora.

- Shaune Rogatschnig

Shaune’s latest works describe all that she loves about the natural world around us. Her paintings start off with a visit to Kirstenbosch or a hike in the Fynbos rich mountains of the peninsula, where she takes most of her reference photos.

“I find my painting begins at the point of looking and taking references. I know what I’m looking for and can immediately see when an image will most likely be suitable.

I then take it into a design programme and work on the layout and positioning of the image on the canvas – reviewing the lead-ins, rule of thirds, linking darks shapes and negative areas. I often use a bouquet of reference materials to work out the layout. However, I never fiddle with the colour – that’s for my paint!”

Shaune studied art up to matric, but it was only in 2013 that she took the decision to commit to painting as a full-time career. She started off by attending a year-long course with Lyn Northam. “She taught me, amongst many other things ‘to paint out of the lines’. She has become a valued mentor throughout this journey and I am indebted to her support and friendship”.

Determined to learn as much as possible, Shaune joined two art societies in 2012 (SASA: South African Society of Artists and CAS: Constantiaberg Art Society), where the regular demos and talks have supported her development. “I find this community of artists extremely supportive in sharing insights and tips”.

She also attends as many workshops as possible. “Amongst those that stand out the most are the talented and lovely Laura Wenman, Lesley Charnock, Marc Alexander and Yvonne Ankerman (who kick-started my love of the palette knife in 2014)”.