Bringing subjects to life for my paintings or letters is a combination of two things: detailed drawings of the location and most importantly the image I have in my mind of what a place is like.

Detail is important, hence the sketches, but the main power of a painting is its overall feeling – this really comes together in the features, colours and sensations. I try to convey my impression of a place to the viewer.

On location

I begin a painting with a visit to the site. My typical day starts at about 8am and I love walking along the Thames at this time – it is often very quiet and still. Once I’ve found a location, I’ll first take photos to help once I’m back in the studio. Then, I’ll begin detailed sketches in pencil.

The sketches take about 3-4 days: I use these for the “underdrawing”, which are the initial outlines that I’ll put onto the paper canvas for a painting. Sometimes I’ll jot down notes and drawings in my sketchbook to help but I usually draw my sketches on larger loose-leaf sheets for ease of use back in the studio.

In the studio

In England my studio is really the bedroom (it’s the only space I can keep kids out of) but in France I’m lucky to have a much larger room with plenty of space to work and look out onto the surrounding countryside.

Once in the studio I’ll begin by putting my drawings onto the lightbox. This shines light through the sketch paper emphasising the pencil lines. I’ll use this to transfer the sketched drawings onto the paper ready for painting.

The main part of any work is the painting. I’ll paint for 3-4 weeks (or more depending on the piece or until I’ve got it right). I paint with gouache and mix the colours myself to get the different shades and hues.