Insiders' Look at the Creative Process

Whenever I go to an art fair or show my art in public, I am always asked:

"How long did it take you to make that?" 

This is such a hard question to answer since my artworks generally evolve over weeks and even months at a time. Paintings are started and then abandoned and restarted later. Moreover, multiples are made at the same time when I am working on a series.

This blog post will give you an inside look on this creative process.

Working on a Series

Add The Pig's Tale, to your art collection to bring the spiritof the imagination to your home.

Usually, you will find me working on three or more pieces at a time so I can switch between works as they dry. There are also many more canvases partially started leaning against the walls of my studio or stored in the closet.

For example, for my 2017 spring series I worked on all the backgrounds first, and then added layers to each so they developed as one coherent body of work. This way, even though there are both animals and florals in the series, all the artworks tie together with related colors, textures and marks.

Contemplate Focal Points

Add Hang Out with Eagles to your art collection to awaken your muse

After I have created the backgrounds, I often will contemplate focal points for the next stage in the creation process. Sometimes, I will have a series of watercolor animal studies that I will use as the focal point and then I have fun deciding which animals go best with each background. There is a little bit or serendipity and magic that happens when I don't start with a preconceived notion of the final outcome and let the materials and colors tell me what to do.

Building Layers with Color

From there, I will find something to expand upon, such as color, and keep building up layers with paint as I go. This process has become pretty consistent in my work. My process has patterns that allow for me to really focus on the play of imagery.

This art sold within minutes of listing as it was snatched up by an email subscriber. You can be an insider too and get notified when I list new art by joining my email list. Explore more floral art in this series.

Organic Images

Sometimes, I do not use watercolor studies as the final focal point. In that case, I build the imagery directly on the canvas by drawing freehand. Those themes usually evolve into organic shapes such as trees and flowers.

Working on more than one piece at a time, and working with imagery that becomes thematic, I find working in multiples makes my time in the studio most productive.

Rosie the Cow, in progress (see the finished painting on SchulmanArt.com)