1) To compose an image, I begin by doing several rough thumbnail drawings of different ideas. When I decide on a composition, I then photograph models (often myself) in costume. This allows me to more accurately depict the light of the figures in a space, and the fall of clothing.

 
2) Using the photo as a reference, I compose a semi-rendered contour drawing of the image, and copy the contours onto an acrylic canvas pad.

 
3) From here, I play with my colour palette in an underpainted colour study, which saves me from having to repaint on the final piece. I often change the colours of photographs in Adobe photoshop to decide on a colour scheme.

 
4) I then grid out the drawing to scale on the canvas or board that I am painting on. This drawing is done in pencil crayon to help keep the drawing from smudging. The final painging is completed in Stevenson Acrylic paint.