Probably the question I get the most is “Do you know what the painting is going to look like before you start it?” The quick answer: No. The more open-ended way to ask the same question is: “What is your Process?” So let me break it down a bit first. There is the Thought Process and there is the Physical Process. These overlap some, and they are active for the duration of the project.
So, starting with the Thought Process: I do one painting at a time. So there exists a point at which I consider one painting finished and I haven’t started the next. This usually lasts a week or two (these days, but in the past this period could go on much longer). As I start thinking about the upcoming project, I consider things that went right or wrong with the previous one, or go back and revisit earlier works. I think about size, shape, and time to complete. I think about color palettes. I consider composition. I look at other artists, photographs, books, any place to get ideas. This is the gathering of source material. I may also research painting techniques to hone my skills and to challenge myself. When I am satisfied I am ready to start, it’s time to head to the Art Supply store and get the studio ready.