The Painting Process

Inspiration: A spark of inspiration for a topic—it could be a tangible thing or an emotional reaction to a topic—begins the creative process. My love for the environment and for nature is inspired by what I observe all around me. Typically, I chose topics that relate to a location or thing that I have some connection to. Painting the landscape enables me to connect with my innate love of nature and science. The landscape imagery is inspired by locations I've seen. When I'm on the road, I might just make a quick sketch in pencil, watercolour, or oil and take a number of pictures to try to capture the subject at that same instant in time. Occasionally, depending on the circumstance, I start painting on location.

Materials: I only use top-notch canvas, paints, and other supplies for all of my artwork that is sold on this website. This is a part of my promise to clients to ensure the quality and durability of my artwork. The majority of my works are stretched, loose, or mounted to boards works in oils on canvas or linen.

More information about the canvas and linens I use is found here:

Caravaggio Italian Canvas and linens www.salersas.it/eng/homepage.htm
Claessens Belgian linen www.claessenscanvas.com/en

I only ever work with professional artist-grade paints. Depending on the pigments used by manufacturers, I utilise a variety of brands. I choose my palette based on my understanding of these pigments to ensure stability and longevity.

Brands I currently use include, Michael Harding, Williamsburg, Blue Ridge Oils Old Holland and Gamblin. All paints contain a high pigment content and are blended in linseed oil that gives the strongest adhesion to canvas when dry.

Brushes I use includes a selection of handmade brushes by Rosemary and Co

When the painting is completely cured, a protective layer of varnish is applied. Varnishing gives protection from environmental factors (including UV) that can damage the paint or stability of the pigments.

Every material used is assured to be archival. My scientific knowledge enables me to continuously investigate new items and what is on the market. However, I always stick to the classic methods of painting using conventional materials that have been tried and true for hundreds of years, until evidence is provided that new goods are superior to earlier ones.

Watch part of the painting process above