Recently I was invited to paint a skateboard deck for Montana Skate Park‘s fund raising auction. Exhibiting at The Brink Gallery in Missoula, MT May 6-21st.
Here’s a look at my process for the piece.
First things first- I iron out the image with lots of sketching. Here’s the defined but still loose design.
Also on hand is some reference- heart and fire pictures. It’s important to have a light relationship with reference so that it helps the image become what it needs to be, assisting but allowing the work to become what it needs to be. Ok, time to throw down the paint!
Blocking in the heart, the fire, and leaving some room for the dagger. The great thing about oils is that they allow for the image to be worked up and wiped away as needed.
Starting to feel the burn as the flames sweep across the heart…
Decide to switch the burn to the left side so that there’s a more of a twirl and the flames can burst on the right…
Further refining of tone and texture…
Adding the dagger and further exploring surface. Creating metal is all about reflection…
Adding the pool of blood…
Dagger tip, ripples, and it all comes together!