Artistic Process — D N Williams Artist

Artistic Process

Identifying a subject may arise from a unique quality about a scene or image. What catches my attention may be the interplay of light and shadows, the variety of shapes, edges and colors, or the simply the mood of the moment.

One of the challenges of painting involves translating these qualities by mixing pigments into desired shades, values, and colors. A further challenge of painting “en plein air” (French for outdoors, or in the open air) includes adapting to the ever-changing conditions of light and weather. This is sometimes referred to as “chasing the light.”

Conceptualizing and planning a painting often begins with a series of quick thumbnail sketches. These ideas become refined as a painting proceeds. The initial focus is on capturing the larger shapes, separating light from shadow, and working from general to detail.

Oil pigments can be applied to a linen painting surface with various techniques, including use of brushes, palette knives, cloth rags, paper towels, and sometimes even fingers. Layers of paint are built up from thin washes to thicker applications of color.

It’s a conscious decision to create a painting in keeping with an impressionist tradition. The desired outcome is not with photographic intent, but rather to apply pigments with a painterly touch.