Observation
Steve looks for the point at which form, colour and light combine to produce something visually compelling. Photography and drawing help him isolate the composition before painting begins.
Practice
Observation, light and time
Each painting develops slowly, through sustained attention to the changing surfaces, shadows and reflected colour within a botanical subject.
Layering
Oil paint is applied in thin layers, allowing tone and colour to develop gradually. The method creates refined transitions, reflected light and the sense of depth that characterise the finished works.
Presence
Close cropping and enlarged scale move the flower beyond straightforward representation. The subject becomes sculptural and enveloping, holding the viewer in a particular moment.
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Environmental responsibility in the studio
Steve approaches environmental responsibility as a process of continuous improvement rather than a claim of perfect purity.
His studio practice emphasises careful purchasing, extending the useful life of tools and materials, reducing avoidable waste, and choosing safer and lower-toxicity working methods where practical.
Traditional solvent-based cleaning methods have been eliminated from his current studio practice. Materials are selected and used carefully, while palettes, brushes and equipment are maintained to extend their working life.
These decisions support the making of the work without replacing its artistic purpose. The success of each painting ultimately rests on its visual and emotional presence.