Behind the Scenes: my process
One of the things that’s most fun for me about my painting career is that I made up (or more accurately) am making up the technique every day I paint. To do that requires basic knowledge of color and proportions (thank you art school!) but the rest takes a sense of daring and exploration. It takes a huge dose of “I don’t care if I fail at this idea — I just want to see if this works” kind of attitude. About half of the main basic steps of what has become my technique were arrived at by exploring, and honestly, they were what I thought at the moment to be mistakes. But then the next day, I’d pull out the painting again and stare at it and (sometimes) be surprised at how the ingredients chemically reacted with each other overnight. Sometimes the result was horrendous; sometimes amazing. For the latter outcome, it was then a matter of trying to remember what all went into creating the results.
So what exactly is the technique I came up with? The core is a secret. It will be revealed at the reading of my will. Just kidding. :). But yeah, I don’t share everything. But here is what I DO share.
Step 1: Find some really good inspirational photos I can use for color reference.
Step 2: Create a pencil sketch on my canvas.
Step 3: Build up the sketch with layers and layers of gesso and modeling compound so that the sketch becomes dimensional
Step 4: Cover the entire textured surface of the painting with metallic leaf.
Step 5: Apply many layers of paint onto the surface.
Step 6: Seal the painting with either satin varnish or solar resistant resin.
That’s it! Easy huh? It’s actually not easy at all. Through the years, we’ve had to call chemists and pick their brains about why the paint did this or that. To develop this technique, I’ve made so many, many mistakes but that’s how you invent anything really. I kind of enjoy being half artist, half mad scientist. At least I’ve not blown up anything yet (that only happens when I’m in the kitchen).
