Plein air

With the right gear in your pack this is a very efficient way of simplifying your regime. Not only because you can use only what you carry, but also because you don’t have the luxury of time and a controlled environment.

Once on location, a subject and composition are identified. Next, a sketch is drawn using a small brush and thinned down oil. When I am happy with this, the blocking in of basic colours and darks are applied to the board or canvas. Depending on the style and subject, I start using more colour on the brush and focus on light and shade.

Sometimes a piece can fall into place and be finished in one sitting and often it may require further details and adjustments back in the studio. For the purists plein air is ideally finished in the moment and is a discipline to study a subject in its natural light. I use it as a learning moment and inspiration for other pieces. Some will never be finished or started all over again.

To finish a painting on a cliff or by a river is something special and something we aim for. However, the freedom of knowing some finer finishing touches can be done later, makes it even more enjoyable.

Oil painting

My style is loose and expressive, allowing me a lot of freedom. As colours and basic details emerge on the board or canvas, I decide on the direction of light and choose the mood of the painting..

Details like the colour of the sky also set the atmosphere and direction of the painting. In the studio I have the luxury of a larger colour palette, however I don’t always need it.

There may be subtle differences to the photo or sketch I am working from - perhaps to enhance something or help the painting make sense - which is also referred to as artistic licence. Mostly my details can be achieved while still wet. Using different brush strokes and a pallet knife I can scrape back unwanted effects and open up new ones.

Finishing or adjusting an oil painting is easier as it it takes longer to dry. My desire to mix and push colours while still wet, is also a lot of fun. Some say a painting is never finished. But I must believe there is a time to step away.

Acrylic painting

Acrylics are relatively new for me as my previous discipline were in pastel and oils. With a faster drying time acrylic paints are more difficult to manage, so I work fast and with a firm hand.

My set out for acrylic is different and I also use different colours and brushes, depending on the size of work and the feel I want to create. Painting landscapes and still life in acrylic I have adopted a style in which I can create new effects and brush strokes. Once a rough sketch is laid out, I use large brushes to block in shapes and base colour. I paint on 6 or 9mm board. Two or three coats of Gesso are sanded smooth to help the paint flow and mix quickly on to the surface. I also paint on this smooth board in oils, however it is more fun and loose with acrylic.

My acrylics are not always as planned, colours can be over mixed and dry quickly. I then need to adapt, because this can change the feel and direction of the painting. With a little spray of water and a cloth new effects and washes become features. New colours can be brushed over, creating something even more expressive. I use this fast and free method as a break from the discipline of oil. I enjoy it so much, if I’m not happy with it, I’ll just start all over again.