Crafting a Painting

Like a pair of handmade Italian shoes, creating a painting takes many careful steps. From preparing archival panels to hand-finishing frames, here's the complete process behind each intimate oil painting created in my London studio.

Here's what goes into every piece:

Careful Preparation

Multiple coats of archival-quality gesso on professional wooden painting panels. This foundation work takes 1-2 days as each coat must dry completely before the next can be applied.

Why it matters: Creates a stable, non-absorbent surface that allows the oil paint to sit properly and cure evenly - essential for a painting that will last generations.

Quality Materials

Created with professional-grade oil paints - primarily Winsor & Newton Artisan and Cobra Artist oils. These water-mixable oils deliver the same archival quality as traditional oils, while eliminating the need for toxic solvents in my studio.

Why it matters: Professional-grade pigments maintain their vibrancy for 100+ years. The rich, luminous colors you see today will be true decades from now.

The Painting Process

Traditional oil painting techniques, often alla prima (wet-on-wet) to capture the freshness and energy of the moment. Most pieces require 4-8 hours of, often across multiple sessions.

Why it matters: Every original is truly one-of-a-kind. The exact color mixes and spontaneous brushwork can never be perfectly recreated, even by me. Once it's sold, gone forever.

Patience & Protection

Oil paintings need time to cure - while the surface becomes touch-dry within 1-2 weeks, the paint continues to cure beneath for months. I apply the final protective varnish after 3-6 months, once the surface is completely stable.

Why it matters: Varnishing brings out the depth and richness of the colors while creating a protective barrier against dust and UV light. A longer drying time ensures the varnish bonds correctly and your painting is protected for decades.

Hand-finished Framing

Custom-made wooden frames, hand-finished in my studio with Farrow & Ball paint (typically Hardwick White, a sophisticated grey-white) and sealed with beeswax. Precision-crafted frames that allow the painting to 'float.'

Why it matters: The shadow gap reveals this is an original on board. The hand-finished frame gives it presence and sophistication.

Ready to Enjoy

Every painting includes:

  • Premium presentation box - Ready to keep or gift, certificate of authenticity included
  • Professional hanging fixtures - Quality hardware for permanent display, plus temporary fixings for immediate enjoyment
  • Securely packaged - Protected for safe arrival

Why it matters: Your painting should arrive safely and the unboxing should feel just as special as the painting itself.