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My greatest influences have been Brian Froud and Michael Parkes, which is evident in my paintings. I have also been greatly inspired by the urban fantasy stories of Charles deLint and the lovely, haunting music of Loreena McKennitt. When I begin a piece, I usually have a good idea as to what I want the finished image to look like. However, by the time I actually complete the painting it has often evolved into something completely different. I start with a blank piece of paper and begin drawing. I rarely do preliminary sketches unless there is a troublesome area that needs special attention or I can't decide on the layout of the overall piece. The initial drawing can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to hours, days, months, and sometimes years. After the pencil drawing is completed, I break out my
Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors and Windsor and Newton brushes and begin
laying down the background colors. I prefer to work with 140lb or 300lb
Arches cold press watercolor paper. The texture of Arches seems the most
conducive to the mix of textures I like to use when painting. Normally I
complete the background first and then concentrate on the characters. Having
never received any formal art training, I begin each painting with a bit of
trepidation….praying it turns out well. Over the years I have developed my
own techniques by trial and error as well as studying the work of other
artists. Technique. I rarely do preliminary sketches.
Occasionally, if the idea I have is too unformed in my head, I will spend
thirty minutes or so sketching out the main character and then I will
transfer it to watercolor paper via a light table. Usually, I start drawing
directly on the watercolor paper, though lightly so I can erase and re-draw
when necessary. If a drawing refuses to evolve properly, I will set it aside
and start on another. Some drawings can take ages to complete.
Sometimes I
get frustrated because I have so many ideas fighting to come out. Every
painting has so many possibilities. Each aspect of a painting involves a gradual build up of colors. Background washes can have as many as five or six layers of paint. Clothing usually has at least 2 layers, while four or five layers are needed for hair. I use white gouache or colored pencil for accents and highlights. Sometimes I will outline the image in ink before I begin adding watercolor washes.
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