Before I start a painting, I think about design, and how the design leads the viewer’s eye around the painting. In these sketches from France, I looked for patterns of dark/light that form interesting shapes. They eye is attracted to areas of great contrast, so that makes a good starting point, or focal point for the image. I trace how I’d expect the eye to travel from the focal paint, in a pattern that stays within the picture. In these small sketches, I also capture the direction of light (as represented by the small sun, where the sun rays remind where the direction of light).

I have sketch books filled with images like these. It’s great to look back at them and again wander the beautiful villages of the south of France.