Matthew Leslie Visual Art

In preparation for the paintings, I made a lot of drawings. As I experimented with different styles, the drawings took on a life of their own. They began as quick, spontaneous gestural efforts, first in chalk pencil, then oil pastel pencil.

I began with 9″ x 12″ sized images, then moved up to 12″ x 18.” I hadn’t ever drawn much on black paper. The experience of drawing on black paper carried well into the process of painting on the black velvet.

Eventually I used Derwent colored pencils, some metallic. Many drawings are combinations of various media.