About Technique

     In an artworld that is increasingly electronic and digital, my artwork dervies its expressive capacity from techniques that date back to the 1840’s. These photos are made with black and white infrared film. The black and white photographs I process from the film are then oil colored. This medium, which I have been using since 1980, enables me to create a wide range of imagery. See before and after examples below.

     The following steps are required to produce my artwork:

1. Using a 35mm camera, I photograph my subjects with infrared flim because of the unique way this film responds to wavelengths of light. Being sensitive to both visible and infrared light, infrared film alters the tones in the negative. For example, typically skin and foliage will appear lighter in infrared black and white prints.
2. Then I hand develop the film in my darkroom.
3. Next I make an archival quality enlargement on photographic paper (again, in the darkroom).
4. At my drafting table I then meticulously paint the entire surface of the photographic print with translucent oil pigments. These are applied with cotton swabs and smoothed with tissue.
5. Often I apply another thin layer of paint after the first layer has dried in order to achieve even deeper vibrant color. In addition, I sometimes add detail using oil pencils, or add enamel dots using small paintbrushes.

     Thus, the photographic tones of the black and white photograph becomes fused with the colors of the oil paint. The combination of the infrared film and coloring with oil paint offers me a freedom of expression which I continue to find aesthetically compelling and challenging.