Mike Bernard RI

My initial starting point is to collect on the spot sketches; subjects will vary from harbour coastal scenes to street and market scenes and occasional still lives. I am selective when describing detail, I want to portray only the essence of the subject.

Back in the studio I start my paintings (surfaces can include, paper, board and canvas), with layers of paper collage, newspapers, tissue, leaflets, magazines etc., gluing with acrylic medium.

I create shapes which relate to the abstract structure of the subject. When the glue is dry, I apply acrylic ink in bold, random strokes, which encourages wonderful colour and textural ‘happy accidents’. From this state of chaos I endeavour to define the subject through various drawing techniques, to a finished stage where the subject has recognisable passages, but at the same time retain a semi-abstract, impressionistic feel, engaging the viewers imagination.