FAQs

How do I see your latest work or hear about new workshops?

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Do you paint from life, photos or your imagination?

Everything! My 5-year classical art training in Toronto and Florence focused solely on painting from life. However, these days I do find photos handy at times, though I do as much from life as I can. Imagination comes into it as well, typically in the form of figures. For example, if I need a figure in a landscape or street scene and there is nobody around, I will simply invent one.

Do your paintings ever not work?

Yes! Sometimes things just don’t work out for whatever reason. In the past I often just ran out of steam with a painting, probably taking on more than I could handle at the time. Thankfully these days not so much.

Do you have a favourite subject?

No. I enjoy painting a range of subjects. I like the challenge of painting different textures in still lifes, the shine of glass or metal, the folds in cloth etc. It’s very satisfying to create these different effects. I always find it fascinating to see a person slowly emerging onto a canvas in a portrait, it’s almost magical! I also love painting landscapes, the way that I can get completely absorbed when I’m painting outside and time flies.

Do you do commissions?

Yes, I do. Click here for more or get in touch to discuss ideas.

Who are your influences?

Old masters such as Rembrandt, Velazquez, Sir Thomas Lawrence (from Bristol) Turner (was an almighty genius!) John singer Sargent, Degas, Monet, Joaquim Sorrolla.

Also current painters such as Ken Howard, Pete Brown, Everett Raymond Kinstler, David Leffel, Richard Schmid, Joseph Zbukvic, Greg Allen. I could go on…

My favourite artist is probably John Singer Sargent because he was a master of both oil and watercolour painting and had the ability to set his easel in front of anything he desired and make a masterpiece out of it, he seems to have had no limits! The ultimate Artist!

What equipment and materials do you use?

A range of brushes usually filbert shaped bristles. I like Rosemary & Co and Pro Arte. Also Pro Arte sterling synthetic brushes.

I normally paint on 4mm MDF board primed with oil primer. If painting quite large, I’ll use linen canvas on stretcher bars.

I use a mixture of brands for Artist quality oil paint including: Rembrandt, Windsor & Newton, Michael Harding and Wallace Seymour.

I use Sansodor for my paint thinner as it has no smell. I like to use a fast-drying medium, I often use Liquin.

What advice would you give to people who want to learn to paint?

Take classes or find a good teacher. YouTube can be useful, there are some fantastic artists on there and you can learn quite a bit. But a good teacher will give you feedback on your work. They will answer questions when you are confused and point out mistakes that you can’t always see which will save you time and frustration. Find out about my classes here.

The best way to start is to develop your drawing skills first, this will give you a good foundation to work on when you start painting.

Be patient and enjoy the process.