Most
of the time I use an underpainting and glazing method but the recent small paintings I've been
doing lately are much more direct. I
start with a veil of color--maybe terra rosa or yellow ochre, diluted with
turpentine. I paint into that, working
dark to light. I spend no more than an
hour or two on these paintings.
The
cloud forms in these works are suggested by the random patterns made by
different ways of applying primer to the panels I'm using. I keep in mind the Leonardo quote about
looking at stains and other surface markings on walls, etc, to find designs for
landscape elements. The surrealists had
techniques for sparking ideas that I also find useful--fumage or decalcomania,
for example.
After
finishing a series of carefully detailed works, these techniques help me loosen
up and generate ideas for larger paintings.
do quote about
looking at stains and other surface markings on walls, etc, to find designs for
landscape elements. The surrealists had
techniques for sparking ideas that I also find useful--fumage or decalcomania,
for example. 
