The inspiration for Tom’s work originates from printmaking, painting and drawing techniques learned at art school where Tom gained a BA (Hons) in Fine Art with Printmaking.

The mixed media pieces Tom produces are constructed mainly using layers of watercolour paper and card on canvas or board. This approach is inspired by various printing techniques including collography, an etching technique involving glueing card and lengths of string etc. onto a card plate which is then rolled in relief and printed onto an etching plate. The plate is fixed and then etched.

Another printmaking technique Tom has transferred to his work is intaglio whereby incisions are made into a metal plate creating grooves to trap ink which can be then transferred to paper through an etching press.

Tom’s mixed media work is created using the concepts of relief, intaglio and collography in a way that produces different depths of surface in order to trap the paint. Tom also uses paste in order to further explore depth and texture.

Tom uses as few colours as possible in order to maximise the energy and vibration of each colour when sitting next to each other. The use of black is striking and encourages the viewer to focus on the form. The power of black enhances the resonance of other colours and transforms itself through the passing reflection of light on its surface.

The combined result is work which often evokes a relief sculptural feel.