My paintings start with inspiration. For instance, the contrast of the  cool, dark shadow cast by the ramekin with the bright light coming from the side.  The deep reds and lively greens of the cherries inspire too.

Next the painting moves from inspiration to actual.  The ground or painting surface is prepared, which is canvas or panel, then primed with gesso.  A light wash of  color is then applied. This will give the finished painting a "warm" or "cool" feel.

Then the oil paint is applied with a brush or palette knife, and manipulated by a brush, palette knife, a finger, or the end of a paintbrush. The painting surface is just as important as the rendering of the subject matter. You see thick strokes of paint, thin washes, and fine lines cutting through the layers of paint to the panel.  Some edges are smeared, some are precise.  All these techniques give the painting a sense of life and energy.