Before drawing out the initial composition I like to put down quite a dense wash, acting as a ‘ground’ for subsequent layers using a wide brush – very flat and even

The starting composition is drawn out in paint to break up the large expanse of the picture plane. Usually this initial ‘design’ draws heavily upon source material such as photographs or drawings from my research

Thicker paint starts to be applied to the surface. With this ‘composite’ I’m mindful of the ‘real’ panel gaps and how these can be exploited to make the painting look more interesting further down the line

Compositional alterations happen frequently, often after each layer of paint has been worked into the surface. This canvas is on its third incarnation already and forcing me to adopt changes to make it appear more dynamic and ‘work’

This composite illustrates a piece where sections seem ‘resolved’ and retained as they are, while the larger lower space needs a more intense colour value and the surface quality intensified