process

My painting is based in the classical "realist" tradition.

I prefer to paint from life as this allows me to capture the form and character of an individual or even the essence of a single piece of garlic in a still life.

My process is to develop a sketch to work out issues of composition before even cutting and framing a panel to paint from. Once the sketch and composition are finalized, I then move on to start the painting by drawing the sketch to size on a birch or oak panel that has been prepared with gesso then toned.

After the image has been sketched onto the panel, I then start by establishing mainly dark areas of the painting. I then move to creating a "grisaille" (Grisaille is the French word for grey and is an old master technique of painting in tones of grey from black to white) in the focal areas of the painting where the most detail will reside. This is the beginning under-painting that stands as the foundation of the painting. During the "grisaille", I am able to work out any drawing and composition changes/issues before laying in the color.

Once the "grisaille" has been painted then I use a "glazing" technique to establish the color in the painting. "Glazing" is a painting technique of using very thin oil paint in many layers to achieve a very rich and deep color to the objects painted. "Glazing" becomes very useful when painting skin as skin is somewhat transparent and there are many layers. Using this technique allows me to accomplish the very complex tonal qualities in skin as well as other objects in my painting.