FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is gouache paint?

Gouache is a water-based paint that is opaque and similar to watercolor. It dries optically flat with a matte texture. I think of gouache as a middle ground between oils and watercolor - it is water-based, but its opacity and blending capability is similar to oils. Gouache dries quickly and was the go-to painting medium for legendary concept designers such as Ralph McQuarrie and Syd Mead, before digital tools became the standard.

May I commission a piece of artwork?

Reach out and let me know what you’re thinking!

Do you sell prints?

I am not selling prints at this time.

How did you learn to draw and paint?

I’m largely self-taught. While I’ve been professionally trained as a concept designer, I’ve never taken a formal drawing or painting class. I started learning to draw in high school by watching YouTube videos and reading lots of books. I have an extensive collection of books on drawing, painting, design, and illustration that I read and refer to regularly.

Do you still paint with acrylics?

I’ve stopped painting in acrylics for now, and am transitioning to oils - I’m hoping to share my first works in this medium in the second half of 2026.

What brands of paint do you use?

I use Winsor & Newton gouache almost exclusively - for Cadmium Orange, I utilize Schmincke’s Horadam gouache, as it’s the only single-pigment Cadmium Orange I know of. I use single-pigment paints only (as opposed to blends) to maximize purity of color.

What pencils do you use?

I use Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils - I’ve found their smoothness and tonal range to be unmatched.

Do you use archival materials in your artwork and frames?

Every material used in the creation and framing of my artwork is archival. The following is a list of the materials I use:

  • Winsor & Newton gouache (Permanence rating AA or A only)

  • Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils

  • 100% cotton papers

  • 100% cotton picture mats (for framing artwork)

  • Acid-free foam core (for mounting artwork)

  • Optium Museum Acrylic (UV protectant glass), the absolute best-in-class for protecting artwork from light and UV rays - many of the world’s most valuable artworks are protected with this museum-quality acrylic

How do you ship your artwork? Do you insure artwork for shipment?

I package all artwork myself and ship via FedEx for U.S. domestic deliveries, and DHL for international deliveries. I package each piece of artwork with extreme care and always insure every shipment. I ship my artwork free of charge within the domestic United States.