All the time I wrestle with the impulse of some inspiration, or mood, or a feeling I can’t quite articulate. I like to work natively digital first, using a variety of tools, apps, brushes, and references, to form the subject and setting of my vision. I like to work in digital layers as many shifts and changes occur on the fly, and it really helps bring out my flow state when not having to thing about physical materials.

Once the digital original artwork is complete (unless its purposed for digital sale only, like prints or nfts) I then start planning in what physical form and size it will take. (sometimes i plan this in concept stage but not always). For me, the love is both in the expression of my subject AND how it projects into the atmosphere of a space, this is why I love mockups to make decisions, for both muraling and painting on canvas.

Naturally this is the stage I get the most excited for. The concepts and designs are done, the size and surfaces selected, materials are ready, I turn up the music and tune all the way into my brushwork and technique. When painting physicals from reference, I don’t aim for perfection, but I do grid my surface and lay the placements of my elements to where they live in the digital, so the final painting result always lands pretty close.