Ian Cunningham’s art creation process is a harmonious blend of precision and passion.
Here’s a glimpse into how he transforms inspiration into captivating finished artwork.
Once an initial enquiry is made, we follow up with a detailed discussion as to the client's individual requirements and agree a timescale and pricing. The process then can start - with original, professionally taken photographs...
In the majority of cases, these photographs captured during an event or a personal visit to the commissioning client's home or workplace by one of our own photographers. The client then choosing the required image to base the artwork upon.
(Under certain circumstances, we occasionally use supplied photographs as reference material, having ensured that all permissions to reproduce them in this form have been granted and documented.)
Ian then produces a hand-drawn line drawing of the subject, using the photographs as reference. (This process takes usually between seven and fifteen hours from start to finish, depending on the complexity of the subject.)
The line drawing is then scanned into our computer suite, where individual sections are then spot coloured, to create a "flat" image.
Away from the computer, the artwork is transferred to a large drawing table, where over the space of the next few days, multiple layers of detail and shadow are added, again by hand.
The artwork is then transferred back into the computer equipment, where all the detail and shadowing is added to the finished artwork using a professional graphics tablet system, resulting in a high-definition digital file..
When these two processes have been completed, (usually taking between 25 and 35 hours, again depending on the complexity of the subject matter!), the "Master" digital file is sent (electronically) to our colleagues at a large format commercial printing company, who print (in a variety of sizes and formats), frame and varnish the artwork into a finished individual canvas wall-art or frameable, high-quality, flat "art-print".
This same process is used for both our bespoke, individual commissions as well as our (low volume) reproduction "prints" - this way we can ensure that the highest quality is both controlled and maintained throughout.
Our (commercial) printer then, securely packs and couriers the artwork (or print) directly to the commissioning client, or in the case where further embellishment is required, either directly back to the Stafford Studio, for onward collection or personal presentation or delivery.
