I am often asked about my process as an artist but to be honest, over time as I explore new subjects and techniques, it changes. However, there is one part of my practice that stays consistent, I always maintain several ongoing sketchbooks. They are my painting ‘bibles’: they serve as a place to record ideas when they are still just little seedlings and then to develop them in a safe non-threatening place. In this way, if I am unsure what to try next, I can tell myself that ‘it’s only a sketchbook’.
I have two types of sketchbooks. The first is one that I take on location to paint. These sketches are all about capturing a quick response to the subject and the results will often be about mark making and can appear quite abstract. Here is one from last year of some trees over water.
These initial sketches are the basis of my work and I either work directly from them, together with photos of the scene, or sometimes I also put together a tonal exploration to reach a composition. This process means I can use the tonal sketch to get me started but I can then draw inspiration from the spontaneous sketches to remind me of the feelings the subject evoked.
These types of sketches are invaluable to my process, fulfilling different functions and inspirations. Here you can see that both sources helped inform this finished painting.
At the end of the day my sketchbooks act as a springboard for my art. When I am seeking inspiration for what to do next they are a little spot of heaven, stimulating ideas and spurring me on to the next project.