How the Artists Work
It all started with Ron wanting a digital camera - which of course is useless without a computer - and then
a printer and scanner followed and a very long and steep learning curve, as neither of them knew anything about
computers and are completely self-taught. Sales and prize monies were put into framing equipment and digital
upgrades, which are now an integral part of the way they work.
The Idea
Before these artists start a painting, they need to have an idea about what they are going to paint - no art
for art’s sake here, these artists paint with purpose. Sometimes an idea for a painting comes from simply
putting oneself in the right place at the right time with a camera to capture the subject; sometimes this is
accidental, sometimes deliberate. For example to capture a sunset one has to put oneself in the right place at
the right time. Other times an idea for a painting comes from reading a story, for example Cobb & Co’s costly
venture to Mount Britton, or the beautiful black mare, Midnight.
 The Research
Having got the idea for a story, imagination has to kick in to then design the painting, and sometimes
meticulous research to get the details correct (e.g. what colour would the Cobb & Co. coach have been at that
time and place? Or what are the details of dress, uniforms and harness etc.) Having determined these things
they then have to search for the actual subject matter to put together from among their growing collection of
photos - which they have taken themselves, or scanned from old photographs in books, museums, libraries, or
loaned from other kind folks who also believe in the importance of remembering our pioneers.
The Design
Having collected all the subject matter, it is then put together and the painting designed in all its detail
on the computer. This is imagination and creativity combined with modern technology - it can be very, very time
consuming, but at last, the artist is satisfied with the design and prints it out on A4 paper.
 The Painting
The painting surface is prepared, and the design drawn up using the printout of the final computer-generated
composition as reference. It is only then that the actual painting process begins, and the painting or pastel
is then built up layer upon layer to get the desired effect.
Ron, being greatly inspired by studying the old masters' techniques, prefers the "mixed technique" which,
when using modern paints, means that he begins with acrylic underpainting, then uses alkyds and oils to finish.
Sometimes heavy texture is laid down, and the paint brush drawn over it to create special effects. Other times
the paint is applied smoothly with little texture or in thin transparent glazes. Ron likes to make the frame so
that he can view the painting in progress in its frame from time to time.
Jennifer uses similar painting techniques and has learned a great deal about paint from Ron, but also uses
soft pastels on conservation matboard ... probably her favourite medium.
Both artists love colour – and they are not afraid to use it! Their paintings are vibrant with colour, but
subtle in tone and very life-like. Attention to detail and authenticity are particularly important when
portraying historical subjects.
RIGHT: One of Ron's Old Masters inspirations, a copy of Reubens masterpiece "The Crown of Thorns" helps
him evolve his own painting techniques.
The Printing
When complete, the painting is scanned into the computer, adjusted, and sized for printing, this is also
tedious and time consuming. Their fine art printer uses Epson UltraChrome Pigment Inks, which have a superb
image quality and longevity when used on the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Papers and Fine Art Canvas that the artists
use for all their fine art prints, except for the small souvenir prints which are printed on Presentation Grade
Poster Paper. Longevity of the prints is very important to these artists as they believe it is important that
the heritage of our pioneers be passed on to future generations.
The Framing
This is art in itself. Since they have begun framing their own paintings a new understanding and respect for
the framing profession has developed....it is a very precise business. |
