Sometimes I am asked where I get reference for my images.  So here is how I get from an idea to a painting.

The initial idea is scribbled in my sketchbook.  Usually my ideas arrive when I am not in my studio, it is most easy when my mind is wandering free. And hopefully my sketchbook is to hand.   At this point it is terribly unrefined.  Some of the sketches look like I cannot draw at all.

The Idea

I then look for available references to get me to what I imagine that I wish to create.  In this case it is a boy sleeping with wolves.  I practice lots of sketches of wolves and sleeping children to get to know the shapes involved using the internet, books and my own photos if I have some.

Referencing and Practice:

I then use my practice sketches to make a convincing drawing of my original idea.   It is important to observe copyright on other people’s images.  They are used for practice and allow me to become familiar with the shapes.

My personal style then contributes to the form creating a painting which is truly unique. Finally others can see a hard copy of a snippet of my imagination.  The paper trail you see here is useful to me as no sooner has the process been completed without this trail in a short period of time I would not remember how the image formed in the first place!

You may notice that I created the image and the background separately at first.

This painting is now nearly completed.  My previous post shows my painting as of yesterday. Once the finishing touches have been made, I will scan it and post it into my Gallery page.

I often get ideas which would be impossible in real life, trying to make the idea look real is good fun.  If you put a lion on top of an elephant, or you balance 3 magpies on top of one another, it has to be believable.  Creating convincing images that are not like real life and making viewers believe the unbelievable is the greatest and most exciting challenge of all.

“Balancing Act” Prints Available.