Tony Hinchliffe

I have always loved the sense of escapism that comes with creating art. Exploring my creativity is a constant pursuit, and I’m always developing new techniques to keep a feeling of energy alive within my work. Knowing that someone is emotionally moved by a painting is a powerful motivation for me — I’ve always enjoyed creating pieces that make people feel something.

Oil paint is my preferred medium. I often begin with an acrylic underpainting, enjoying the way oil behaves when layered over it. In the early stages I dilute the oils with turpentine, using them almost like watercolour to build atmosphere and tone.

My figurative work focuses on mood and intimacy, capturing the essence of a moment through loose, spontaneous brushwork. Strong contrasting values are carefully placed to create depth and draw the viewer into the narrative.

I’ve spent thousands of hours drawing figures from life, a discipline that has shaped my entire approach. Observing subtle shifts in body language reveals endless stories — and my favourite theme is simple: everyone deserves to feel loved.

Teaching figure drawing and painting keeps me constantly refining, questioning, and improving my process. Much of my inspiration comes from being outdoors, studying people, oceans, landscapes, and skies in all weather conditions.

I know a painting has succeeded when I can look at it and vividly recall how I felt while creating it — almost like rereading a diary.

One of my latest projects explores skies and landscapes at altitude. I spend time flying my paramotor, travelling above and around the clouds. The atmosphere and light at several thousand feet are endlessly fascinating, and capturing that experience with a paintbrush is both a challenge and a joy.