I'm doing several interviews of traditional artists about their process of work,: I hope this will help people who want to take up traditional media or people who want to evolve and find their own style.
Number 1 is here [link]

First of all, I want to thank `alchemism for taking the time to answer this interview
Here are some works of the artist



About the artist

How would you describe, in a few words, your artistic life?
Tedious, but climbing.

Which traditional media have you tried? Which ones do you like best and least?
Oil is the best medium I feel. It has so many options, from thinned washes to thick blobs, and anywhere in between. Add in linseeds, turps, or Damar varnishes and you've got science with colour.

How would you describe your actual style and how long did it take to achieve it?
It's still developing. I've recently become very comfortable with the work I'm doing. It doesn't seem like I'm experimenting as much, but just enough to be a smarter painter. What I've conceived has come into a very solid space, and I'm enjoying what I am painting more than ever.


Process of work

Do you always plan your ideas before painting or do you let your inspiration/emotions guide by your brushes?
I start with 2" x 2" thumbnail sketches, on stickynotes, lined paper in my notebook, or on small canvases. I have a good idea of what is going to happen before I begin, but chance plays a big part in my compositions. They often develop themselves right on the canvas.



Can you explain how you work on your works?
No, that's something I don't share.




General questions about materials and techniques

How important is the nature of the materials and how much does the material dictate the image that results?
Because oil is the most versatile medium for painters, it seems natural to use it, and master it. There are far more variables with oil paint than anything else such as acrylic or watercolour.


How controllable are the materials?
Oil is extremely controllable, if you know how to use them. It's like a fast car. If you can handle it at top speed, you know what you're doing. But there's room for a mistake at any speed.

Does the traditional way of using them outweigh the experimental?
That question doesn't make a lot of sense really - there are hundreds of methods used 1000 years ago that are still used today. Painters became experimental with the introduction of Modernism, so any possibility is available for artists to use now, regardless of the date of introduction.

How do the techniques evolve?
They've evolved with individuality - from Picasso to Salle, from Rauchenberg to Ofili.


Any tips for the people who want to take up painting or who want to evolve and find their own style?
Study the artists before you. Know what came before you so that you have strong footing into an area that is individual.


much thanks to everybody who made this interview possible