These preparatory works are on gessoed papers, various sizes. The sketchbook size are acrylic (pages of my sketch book) and larger sizes are in oil. In general I prefer to compose directly on large stretched canvas with ideas that have percolated long enough on my mind. Only in some cases that drafts or further experiments on smaller sketches or rough drafts are necessary. Often small size sketches look agreeable but in larger scale, fresh challenges appear as certain details are magnified and the colour schemes are altered. Small draft works are helpful to kickstart the energy and inspiration that propel ideas and composition forward. Alongside with the forgiving oil medium, these sketches and rough drafts speed up the construction of the final works.
Side note 1: Most rough works are in acrylic for instant drying time although I challenged myself with slightly larger oil sketches. My house at one time resembled a lab with hanging or flat drying oil sketches everywhere. Thankfully there are no challenges such as pets nor kids that might interfere with the process; still at times, it was tough to navigate and tiptoe around!
Side note 2: The prolonged, forced isolation and focus on the thematic figurative style made me long for a change. Included here are a few works in landscape and still life at the end of the semester. The lengthy Canadian winter did not help. The artworks recall lush landscape, fresh air and in far away places.
