Digital natural media

I work manually using a professional artists drawing tablet called a Wacom Cintiq. Think of it like a giant, glorified iPad with a special set of features that makes it the go-to tool for artists for the likes of Disney & countless others.  

The software I prefer to use is Rebelle 4, which uses state of the art technology to emulate natural art media. The tools I use are generally digital oils with a limited number of brush types and no stamps. Each brush stroke has been made by hand and each colour layered by eye.

About my process

No pre-made filters or 'cheats' are used during the creation of my portraits. I work from scratch, starting with a sketch which I approach by laying a grid onto the source image and then replicating to the best of my ability in Rebelle 4 by eye. I'll then block in colours and fine tune after that until I'm happy. My process is illustrated in the cat portrait comission I did on the right of the page.

What is the benefit to you?

I went to art school from 1996-2001 and I can paint and draw conventionally. As part of my day job as a partner at 49th Floor Design & Artworking in Bedfordhisre, I have access to tools which mean that I can work more cheaply, more accurately and more quickly compared with conventional art materials and so I'm pleased to be in a position to pass these benefits on through my work. Natural media synthesis has become so accurate, you will struggle to tell the difference in many cases and as there's still a creative vision behind every painting, each portrait still represnts a unique and personal work of art.

Can I buy the original?

When comissioned, I share the digital file at high-resolution for clients to print/frame as they see fit. There is no 'original' canvas version as I work digitally.