I draw a lot. It really is the integral foundation of all of my work. Everything starts with the drawing and the happy little accidents or sidetracks which come from that initial train of thought. I often wish I could capture the immediacy and vitality of the original sketch when working in pastel or paint, as it so often gets lost later in the labour of tone and colour. I also keep sketch books which I fill with ideas, doodles, marks and anecdotes. I usually create a lot of my initial ideas for pictures in willow charcoal or pencil and once happy with that, I’ll use a fixative to ensure there is no melding with the overlayed colours that follow.

People often ask me how my work starts out... "do you do a rough sketch or just go straight in with the brush?". I thought I would show a few examples featuring some initial sketches for finished work, and also throw in some thumbnail sketches of pieces I am currently working on. Watch this space!