Artistic Methods
I have studied in depth the masters of the Italian renaissance and have a working
knowledge of their techniques. After many years of experimentation and production I have
developed my own methods and style which combine ancient and modern.
I begin with an image either taken with a camera , drawing , watercolor , or a combination
making the image as clear as possible. All of the elements are employed, color, texture ,form,
line.
Color is used to emphasize contrast of hue, line for delineation, texture for richness, form
to create definition, tone for balance and light. These formal elements are executed with simple
means. Tools used are brush, paletteknife, sanders, scrapers. There are many layers of paint,
the first are sanded back to maintain a smooth clear surface. The next layers are brushed,
scraped and pulled over the surface to reveal the complementary and analogous colors
beneath. This creates a colorful, vibrant , textural surface,and produces movement.
These same tools are used to execute different motifs, such as landscape, figurative or
florals. The final aim of my work is to produce art that is interesting, different and has
lasting aesthetic value.
Leonard Brett