Artist at Work

Getting started on a new painting of a clammer--

this one 5' tall x 20" wide

In the studio or out in the field, I typically spend six or more hours per day painting. All my paintings start outside, with a plein air study, drawing or photo, and are finished in the studio. I love landscapes and seascapes and find abundant material in the coastal environment where I live.

Materials

I use only archival materials to ensure that my paintings will stand the test of time. For my oil paintings, I prefer Gamblin and Windsor Newton oils and the responsiveness and texture of linen versus canvas board or other hard surfaces. I also love to use Arches Huile paper for plein air painting; I then mount finished pieces on archival gessobord. I use two palettes, the one below to lay out my colors, and a second one that I hold for mixing paint.

I see color variation wherever I look, even in fog and snow, and try to convey that richness in my art. I tone my canvas with a mix of ochre and gold acrylic to help create glow.