Behind the scenes of one of my paintings

In this article I share with you the different steps that went into creating the painting “Bloom here and now”.

Firstly, I prepared the canvas myself. I really enjoy doing this because it helps me get going with a new painting. I don’t have to think too much about the content for the first steps, I just need to assemble the pieces. It also gives me more control over the size and background texture. 

I then stretched cotton over a wooden frame using a staple gun and a glue used to stretch and strengthen fabric called “sizing glue”. I covered the cotton with two layers of special white background paint called a “ground”.

While I waited for the background layers to dry I sketched ideas and researched images for the painting.

I wanted this painting to symbolise the fact that even if you continue to have a mobile lifestyle, it is possible for you to thrive and grow.

I use oil paints to create my paintings. I really like oil paint because the paint does not dry straight away. This gives me more opportunity to work on details. However it does mean that I need to be patient and let each layer dry before doing the next one.

For the painting “Bloom here and now” I started with an abstract background created with liquid paint that I let drip down. I then built up the picture, layer by layer, starting with the landscape in the background and then the suitcase. Finally I added the flowers and the last details for the suitcase.