Artist studio process

“A glimpse into my studio, process, and the quiet moments behind each painting.”

I try everyday to make time to paint, or sketch. Given our busy lives it is easy to not find the time. But it is important to have that hour when you can shut out the world and lose yourself in something that makes you happy and relaxes a busy mind.

Preparation is always my first step. Getting my palette loaded with the colours I need. Making sure I have water and all the brushes I will require for the marks I need to make. Then apron on, and music ready to play.

I am working on a new project at the moment, A landscape in Acrylics. I normally do a quick pencil sketch. Marking out the three areas of the canvas for Sky, mid ground and foreground and any trees, clouds mountains. Just making faint marks. Once the main arears have been painted I then get to the fun fiddly bits.

In this video I am highlighting the trees so they reflect the light coming over the mountains from the setting sun. All the dark tones have been done. So a lighter mix of yellow and green painted onto the top and side of trees makes them sing.

Another fun thing I have found is that you can use anything to paint with. Experiment with items, such as tinfoil, tissue, even toothbrushes. Each can bring amazing effects to your painting. Even using your fingers is fun, and takes you back to childhood days when you can get messy. In this video I am using just plain old toilet roll tissue to add texture to a field.

Finally:

you know you have had a good day, when your palette is looking messy.