Every commission begins with a sketch like that above. It helps the publisher and the author visualise what the final work will look like - although the final work will inevitably differ from the sketch as models are posed and any amendments to the look of the uniforms are made.Once the sketch is approved by the author and publisher, I take photographs of models in the poses shown and begin to sketch out the work in pencil. It takes about a day to draw one figure out and a further day to paint it.
Then I add colour - a mixture of watercolour, gouache, acrylic and ink. I use gouache to give a nice strong blue sky, as I have found that watercolour is not strong enough to do itself justice in the printing process. Acrylic is used for highlights or making alterations. Ink gives definition and is used for sharp straight lines on gun barrels and other hard edges. It is always the last thing I add.
