Over
the years I have been hugely inspired by Renoir, Van Gogh, Salvador Dalia's "Persistence of Memory" and Edward Hopper's "Morning Sun"
Planning
what I want to paint can take weeks, sometimes months, once I have chosen a
subject. I will research it over many hours, looking at different perspectives
and details, collating images, photos, and information. This can include other
Artists works and studying how they have completed their piece.
After
selecting a canvas size, I use an artist grid app with the chosen image to
ensure correct alignment of my sketch on canvas. Then I will sketch the
important details that suggest the subject I want to reference.
Applying
the right ground paint is important to building up the composition. I think of
light and dark a lot and try to imagine how light reflects in the Artwork. I
need the right feedback from the Artwork itself as I build up the layers.
I
don't always stick to the sketch on the canvas as the painting process can
often take on a life of its own. This usually leads to adding in extra detail
or when necessary, removing some. Light and dark are always kept in mind as I
slowly build up the picture. Adding depth is an important feature in my work.
I
often photograph the artwork as I'm completing passages so that I can look back
at the progress when I'm not in-front of the work. I find this time away from
the studio to view the composition with a different eye extremely useful.
I
ask family members, friends and other Artist's to give me feedback whilst the
work progresses so that I can benefit from their insights and opinions.
Walking
away from the Artwork in the final passages can be very challenging but I don't
think I'm the only artist that suffers from this frustration, once again family
often comes to the rescue.
I
work with many different mediums, each one having their benefits and drawbacks.
I don't want to limit myself to a specific style or medium and use my gut
feeling to produce the best work I can. In most cases however I will turn to
Acrylic.