Journey Of An Image

Coming up with new work, in my case a visual concept for a new painting is always an interesting challenge. This can take time, weeks, sometimes a month or so. I find the creative process happens in stages. The first stage is designing a image that I can take to the canvas when I feel it's ready. Taking in to consideration things like, how I feel the image resonates with recent, finished paintings. A fitting balance and composition are very important, and of course a new image must radiate the same energetic qualities to similar works, in terms of playfulness, dynamic form, layering, illusion of three dimensions, etc.

I often develop new work from previous work. In every painting, there are numerous fascinating elements and juxtaposing shapes that can be re-used and transformed into fresh, new work. I think it's important to create a sense of unification with other work, so recycling, if you will, interesting aspects in other paintings, for me, helps to achieve this. Initially, all these images start off as spontaneous drawings in felt tip pens, which are later developed in photoshop.

Below is a little insight into how I go about this.

Stage 1

Here is an interesting section from a spontaneous drawing in felt tips I chose to work from.

Stage 2

At first glance you may think this another image entirely, but this has been developed from my initial drawing. You may find some similarities.

Stage 3

Again, big transformation! This is where photoshop is really useful. All the imagery from before is still here, but hidden beneath many different layers of experimentation.

Stage 4

Many different layers are added and developed in order to create 1 identifiable image. This can take a long time.

Stage 5


Often I find a certain theme on an image coming together that looks like something promising, only to change dramatically with development.

Stage 6

I continued working on this star orientated design for some time.

Stage 7

An interesting dynamic pattern began to take shape here.

Stage 8

Trying out a different approach.

Stage 9

Here I experimented with a new combination of visual elements. I call this, 'The crazy upside down teapot stage.'

Stage 10

Removing and replacing different shapes and forms plays a big part in developing a new image.

Stage 11

Sometimes subtle changes can make all the difference.

Stage 12

At this point I had built up a total of 34 different individual layers, some at the front, others more centred in the middle, and many at the back. It's all a matter of carefully and thoughtfully constructing one image that really works.

Stage 13

A very pleasing arrangement took form again here. I felt satisfied with the arrangement of colours, composition, dynamic aspect and balance.

Stage 14

Finally it's a matter of tidying up, making small amendments, adding finishing touches and other more subtle but important details. The next stage is painting the finished design up large scale on canvas, involving many other interesting changes and challenges, but that's another blog!