Being Born to Canvas

Composing: Some of the oil paintings I do can take weeks to finish. I usually spend a couple of good days on the composition and arrangement. I layer the oil paints and each layer can take a week or two depending on the thickness and colour to cure enough to paint over with another layer. My favourite stokes are dry brushing and impasto. I mix almost all my colours from the primaries. Its so exciting to watch the movement and emotions come alive on canvas giving each scene its own essence and liveliness. Starting can feel slow with little visual progress.

Shaping: I turn the music up to volume 10 and really get into the shapes and colours. Large arm movements help define areas. Sometimes several passes are necessary to establish the right look.I can spend a few days in this stage depending on the subject.

Highlights: This is where I putter, tinker, doodle. I love to dab and detail! Every stroke has a meaning and is a significant part of the story being told. Give me 24 hours uninterrupted or more and I’m in painter’s heaven. I don’t stop to eat. It takes a lot to drag me, emotionally, out of the painting itself. I can only describe it to immersing and drowning oneself into a well written book. You become part of the story, part of the painting. You are attached as one.