Every painting begins with a visit to a location that inspires me. When I’m out exploring, I’m always on the lookout for scenes that capture my attention, whether it’s the way light falls across a landscape, the texture of the environment, or something about the scene that sparks my creativity.

Once I find a place I want to paint, I take as many photos as possible, trying to capture all the details. These images serve as a reference, but also as a way to preserve the feeling of the location.

When I visit an area, I take time to explore and observe the surroundings. I’m often focused on capturing the essence of the place, whether it’s a specific landmark, a unique perspective, or the natural features of the environment.

While I don’t usually sketch on-site (mainly because I don’t enjoy the cold Welsh weather in winter and I tend to get distracted by everything going on around me), I make sure to take plenty of photos from different angles and different views. These photos become my reference material for when I start working on the piece later.

Back home, I review the photos I’ve taken. Sometimes I’ll start creating a sketch right away, while other times, I’ll store the images for future use. When I do begin the sketch, I focus on the elements that stood out to me when I was there, the details that captured my attention. I don’t aim to replicate the scene exactly as I saw it, but rather to convey the feeling and the view through my interpretation.

The final sketch often differs slightly from the photograph, with exaggerated details and landmarks that I felt were important to the composition.

Once the sketch is ready, I move on to selecting the appropriate canvas for the piece. Whether it’s a box canvas, a wooden panel, or something else, the choice of surface impacts the final outcome of the painting. I always make sure to choose a size and type that will suit the composition I’ve envisioned.

With the canvas selected, I transfer the sketch onto it. Depending on the complexity of the drawing and the level of detail, I might redraw it freehand or use graphite paper to trace the design onto the surface. This step ensures the composition stays true to the original sketch while preparing the canvas for the next phase, painting!

Now comes the fun part: painting! I begin by choosing my colours and applying the first layer of acrylic paint.

This initial layer is typically a rough base coat, allowing me to block in the major areas of colour and get a sense of how the piece will come together. It’s important to me that the colours I choose reflect the mood of the scene as I experienced it.

Once the first layer is dry, I start building up layers of paint to add depth and saturation. I focus on creating a balance of light and dark areas to give the painting dimension. Shading and blending come into play at this stage, and I often revisit areas multiple times to get the desired effect. Layering is key to achieving richness in the colours and creating texture within the painting.

As the painting nears completion, I work on refining the details. I add the final touches, focusing on shading, highlights, and any small elements that will bring the piece to life. This is when I can really emphasize certain features that stood out to me in the original scene, giving the painting a more finished and polished look.

Once I feel the painting is complete, I let it sit for a while, allowing myself to step back and view it with fresh eyes. This time away from the piece helps me notice any areas that might need adjustment. If anything feels off, I make those final tweaks to ensure the painting is exactly how I want it.

After I’m satisfied with the final result, I apply a layer of varnish to protect the painting and enhance its finish. If the piece needs framing, I’ll do that as well, making sure it’s ready for display. Lastly, I attach the necessary fixings, so it’s ready to be hung, and then add the details of the painting on the rear.

After finishing a piece, I take time to reflect on the process. Each painting teaches me something new, whether it’s a technique I’ve learned, a new colour palette I want to explore, or how I can improve my workflow for next time. It’s an ongoing learning experience, and I’m always excited to start the next painting, taking everything I’ve learned with me.

And there you have it, the journey from inspiration to finished piece!

Each step in this process is a careful balance of technique, observation, and personal interpretation.

Creating art is always a rewarding journey. The process of transforming a moment of inspiration into a piece of work takes time, but it’s one that I deeply enjoy. I hope this gives you a clearer understanding of how I bring each painting to life.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my work or learning about my process further, feel free to reach out or take a look at my collection of paintings [Originals] and prints on my website [view full range of prints here]!