Every artist has their own way of starting a painting. Each of us has a preferred surface to paint on and a preferred medium to paint with. For some, the fluid nature of watercolor is what makes their heart sing, for others it’s the fast drying qualities of acrylic and for some, as it is for me, there is nothing like the buttery feel of oil paint.

Many artists will stretch their own canvas, other like to speed up the process and buy their canvas already stretched. For me, the nature of the way I paint almost demands that I use a rather unusual process. I buy large rolls of Belgium Linen, cut off a piece about 4-5 inches larger on each side than the painting will be and attach it to a backing of masonite. Then, I measure and tape off the exact area of the painting. This solid backing allows me to create the initial drawing but most importantly I am able to execute the smallest details on a surface that does not move. When I am approximately three quarters of the way through the painting and the oil paint is still flexible, that is when I stretch the linen on wooden stretchers and finish the painting.