How do you plan and paint a large-scale piece of art that spans more than one canvas?

Recently I received an email request from a student with the above subject and a list of questions. I have tried to answer all of her questions in the following blog:

Have you created many triptychs?

I have created at least a dozen paintings which connect together as triptychs or diptychs.

Do triptychs take much longer than a normal painting?

Triptychs do take much longer than one painting because there is a lot more planning involved.

Are triptychs more difficult to create a concept for than single canvas pieces?

When I am planning three paintings that will connect together as one image, I am also thinking about how each image will stand on its own as separate painting. Each image needs to be a pleasing balanced painting. So yes, it is more difficult than painting just one image.

Do you prefer to use models, photos, or illustrations to help plan your paintings?

My first inspiration for a painting is a photograph that I have taken. I like to be familiar with the scene or subject that I wish to paint. I am also looking for an original image, as I do not wish to copy someone else’s work. Of course, I am influenced by other artists and photographers and will use them for reference once I have my idea composed.

How did you choose your subjects?

I choose my subjects from nature. Many of my triptychs were created from photographs that I had taken under water in the Florida Keys of the gorgeous reefs and sea life. Unfortunately, the many of the reefs have been dying from warming seas. I am presently working on a triptych of a path at Blowing Rocks in Jupiter.

What do you do to prepare for a painting, such as sketches or research?

I often begin with a thought and work my photography and other images into Adobe Photoshop. Here, I can play with my images until my composition is semi-finalized. I divide the wide image into three separate images to make sure they can stand alone individually. I plan on the size of my final piece and purchase the 3 canvases. I sketch out the image onto the canvas and begin painting large areas until the canvases are filled with paint. Then I will continue to work into the large shapes of color until I am working the detail at the end.

How long does it usually take you to paint a single piece, from the first idea to completion?

The paintings will take me months to complete. I do not work on the paintings every day. I work in oil and the painting must dry between coats. It takes time to evaluate the paintings as an individual painting and also how they relate to each other as a whole scene. The illusion of light created by the color and value of the paint must be balanced as a unit. I know my painting is a success by how long I enjoy looking at my painting.

Are you inspired by any other artists for any of your pieces?

I am inspired my many artists and photographers. Robert Wyland does beautiful paintings underwater scenes and I love his use of color and imagination. Laurie Snow Hein has been a wonderful influence and I know her personally. Her paintings of natural Florida have been purchased throughout the world. Of course, I could not finish without mentioning impressionism and all of the artists that I have loved throughout my life… Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet and Edouard Manet, just to name a few.

Emilee, I hope this answers all of your questions! Good luck with your project!