It begins with a photograph. An extensive background in film and photography has given me keen powers of observation and the ability to compose through the camera’s lens.

I love strong bright light especially in portraiture. Light captures form and creates a dramatic composition. Selecting just the right composition enables me to choose the most appropriate canvas format. I start with a light pencil sketch of the general outline of the composition.

And take a breath… I spend a lot of time pre-mixing my colors directly onto the palette. I like to start mixing the darkest shades, the light tones and than a middle tone of another value. Blending as many values as I can right from the beginning ensures that my foundation layer becomes rich in depth and color thus my ‘realistic’ style quickly begins to appear.

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