My Studio

My studio was newly built in 2003. It was built over the wooden remains of an old railway storage shed. It was later bought privately and used to stable ponies for use down a local mine.

The present day structure resembles the old stables in size and shape but is well insulated and heated. It has special daylight tubes fitted into the light fittings, as well as several skylights. My larger gallery work is completed here.

Working methods

At the beginning an idea is formed in my mind. From here a search begins for the particular animal or scene. Often the scene and nature subject are studied separately and are composed in the studio to the idea in my mind. Sometimes an idea evolves from a quick sketch or something I have seen.

My normal method of working is to study the animal in the wild and make field sketches and notes in my sketchbooks. Sketches of habitat and landscape are also gathered.

Outdoor work is usually carried out using watercolour mediums and graphite pencils. Studio finished paintings are normally oil mediums but lately I have been using acrylic mediums.