TECHNIQUE

I look through magazines and cut out interesting shapes and colours, plus any pictures that make me smile or I think will fit with a particular theme. I then store the images according to colour themes.

I take inspiration from the beauty of the world - I am constantly taking photos which I save for potential future inspiration. I am particularly inspired by water and sky. 

I am currently using Gesso artist boards onto which I collage, as I find that they don't warp like canvas boards or sag like stretched canvas when paper and glue are applied.  

After sketching out the composition, which can be very detailed or very rough depending on the end picture, I cut and paste the images onto the board, using artists scalpels and Pebeo Bindex acrylic binder as glue. I was using PVC previously but have found that the binder gives a good shiny finish and is nice and flat. 

I trim the picture using a sharp artists scalpel  for a clean edge. I ensure the whole image is covered well with binder to ensure that there is no seeping of the resin upon application.

After everything has dried completely and I am happy with the finished picture, I carefully mix and apply a Pebeo glazing resin to the whole picture, scraping the resin across the board to create a clear, shiny layer which has the effect of magnifying the paper underneath and intensifying the colours.