My outdoor sketches capture the raw emotions and essence of the landscape, making them special and distinct from studio pieces or prints. The fact that they're completed in under 2 hours adds to their spontaneity and authenticity.

I refer to them as "artistic gems, unpolished" – a window into my creative process, showcasing my ability to capture fleeting moments of beauty in the natural world. They resonate with collectors who appreciate the unique charm of en plein air art.

Can you share some insights into your process of creating outdoor sketches that might not be obvious to someone just looking at the finished piece?

My outdoor sketches are the lifeblood of a dedicated landscape artist. They capture the emotions needed for later studio works. They are "artistic gems, unpolished," with a brilliance like no other art. My process is driven by feeling and intuition rather than aiming for polish and realism.

I work directly from nature, which requires a deep level of interpretation and translation of the natural world, allowing for a more expressive and personal interpretation.

Does a low price mean the artwork is less valuable?

I was setting up to do some ‘search sketches’ on  the West Coast of Vancouver Island in 2011, gathering first impressions of a pale violet grey cloud-bank that was rolling in from the east, gazing out and out and out at the dome of nature and then dashing at it with a black pen and finishing with a tonal wash of West Coast greys and blues. 

Fifteen minutes later I started a small watercolour of the same scene, having explored the mood and flow of the landscape with my 8 by 10 in. ‘Watercolor 

Each drawing is leading to the next painting, be it big or small, it is the culmanation of a process that started with the ‘quick sketch’.

"West Coast Mist  Moving In" 30 by 40 in.

Work In Progress