Art by Heather Bridge

I’m excited to share a look into my creative process. This video shows a timelapse of me painting, “Hamilton sunset.” For me, oil painting is more than applying pigment to canvas. It’s a conversation between myself and the image.

The underpainting: a foundation of light and shadow

As you’ll see in the video, it all begins with an underpainting. I approach this stage almost like cloud-watching, allowing shapes to emerge organically. There’s a certain magic in embracing the unexpected. In fact, some of my favourite moments in painting come when I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing. It’s in these moments of uncertainty that beautiful moments reveal themselves.

I work in layers, diluting the paint with mineral spirits to gradually build depth and dimension. This process of blocking in light and dark is slow and deliberate. I search for shapes and often involve three or four layers before I even start to introduce colour.

Embracing imperfection: the beauty of oil painting

After my underpainting is dry, I start laying in colour, mixing on my palette before applying it to the canvas. Sometimes I realize I paint just for the sake of painting. I’m not truly capturing the feeling of the scene. In those moments, I’ve learned to embrace the unique flexibility of oil paint. I can wipe away the unwanted. Then I can start fresh. I love taking the opportunity to revise and refine. However, it is a fine balance between embracing imperfections. I also need to give myself the opportunity to start over.

I often find myself drawn to unexpected details, moments that seem to emerge spontaneously. These discoveries can lead me to rework entire sections of the painting, allowing the work to evolve organically. It’s this element of chance, this interplay between intention and fate, that draws me to this style of art making.

A cohesive vision: Every element matters

One of the core principles of my work is that every part of the painting deserves equal attention. I strive to create a cohesive whole, where no single element overshadows the others. This philosophy extends to my brushwork as well. I think it’s important that the paint is the star of the finished work. No single element should dominate the painting. In this example the sun is the traditional focal point of this painting. But when the viewer moves closer, it falls apart and thick brushstrokes are what is noticeable. 

Authenticity over perfection

We live in a digital world where photo editing and AI can create “perfect” images. I want to move away from perfection and create work that is authentic and alive.

I consciously reject perfectionism, embracing the inherent imperfections that come from the human hand. These “mistakes,” as some might call them, are what breath life and truth into a painting. 

In summary

I hope this look into my process has offered some insight into my approach to painting. I invite you to watch the video and share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you have any questions about my techniques or the inspiration behind my work? I’d love to hear from you.

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