When I sit down to begin a new painting, I sometimes have so many thoughts and ideas that it's hard to just narrow it down.
One thing I always try to do is capture an emotion or mood. In my opinion, the feeling that a work of art emotes is the most important thing. I try to imagine the most magical of places and capture even just the smallest essence and put it on paper. Sometimes if works, other times it doesn't.
I start my pieces in simple pencil drawn right on the watercolor paper. I like to use a variety of papers, cold press (textured) and hot press (smooth) are each unique and I find it keeps it interesting to change often. Once the pencil sketch is drawn out, I usually use an archival black ink to go over the lines. I then erase the pencil. Once that is done, I start painting the background. Color - some artists have it all figured out ahead of time, I sort of go with it and let it evolve on the page. I like to mix many colors, but I usally do it right on the paper, not the palette. After the background is dry, I go in and paint everything else. Once everything is painted, the detailing comes in. I often times will use colored pencil and gouache and acrylic for the highlights and shadows. Often I use the salt effect, which can be fun and always exciting to see how it turns out.
People ask me how long it takes to finish a painting. It sometimes comes quickly, a couple hours. Sometimes, when I'm feeling very drawn to detial and perfection, it will take a few days. Sometimes a whole piece can be ruined with one wrong slip , which can be very frustrating!
I always try to listen to soothing, emotional music while I create. Anything that helps set a mood is very important.
Why fantasy, fairies, etc.? I have always been a dreamer and a romantic. I've always loved mystical places, beautiful images and colors. So I guess I've chosen fantasy art as my way of embracing the world.
Mediums of choice: American Journey Watercolors (A brand from the awesome art supplier, Cheap Joe's). Kilamanjaro Watercolor Paper (cold press) Another brand from Cheap Joe's! And I use archival ink - Micron Pigma black.
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