Introduction One of the questions I’m asked most often—whether in workshops, at exhibitions, or after watching my YouTube videos—is: “Why do you paint on black?” It’s a simple choice that completely transformed my work and has become the foundation of my signature style. Painting on a black ground allows me to create expressive treescapes and woodland landscapes that feel alive with light, atmosphere, and intricate detail. The Magic of Starting on Black Most traditional lands

In May 2025 I met a wonderful couple at the Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead London. They were looking for a large painting commission of woodlands to fill a special place in their beautiful house which was under construction. The brief - a treescape measuring around 3 x 3m, to reflect their nearby countryside, and the project was to be shipped to Belgium. My first challenge was to find a bigger studio, I was also moving house so I was lucky to have a friend who not only h