Creating our aluminum paintings involves an iterative process that requires experience plus intimate knowledge of the technique in general and for each painting in particular. Many paintings start with the artist making markings with the grinder that will only make sense after the paint is added or when the painting is finished. Each painting is created in layers, which means that you might start with grinding, and then you might add some paint using an airbrush in certain parts and then grind some other parts and then add more paint in the same sections or others, and so forth. Most of the paint is applied using an airbrush, and that’s how we get such amazing blends and flow of color. Airbrushing the paint on top of the shiny or grinded aluminum is what gives such a “live” or 3-D feel to each painting; it’s how we make them dance for you. When the painting is finally finished, the artist coats it with a protective layer so it will last and shine for a long time.
An Iterative Process
When we come up with a new design, the master artist requires several attempts before he or she comes up with something decent. Then you need a few other iterations to perfect the design and to come up with the exact process for creating that particular painting. It’s not easy, this is the reason we charge more for custom jobs. It’s not like you can give us a picture or design and we get it on the first try or even the first few tries. That said, many people that want a true one-of-a-kind aluminum painting find that the price is well worth it.
Every Piece is Unique
Every painting is individually made by hand. Our paintings are not made by automated machines, which means that even if you compare 100 paintings of the same image, you will notice that each one of them is different than the others. As good as our artists are, there is no way they can make two paintings of the same image exactly the same. From several feet away they might look the same, but once you look at the details you’ll notice that there are noticeable differences.
Time and Training
It is extremely difficult to paint in this style. An artist cannot suddenly say that he or she is now going to create these kinds of paintings. It takes at least three months for a good artist to be trained in this art. There is no way we would allow even the most talented artist to create paintings for customers before he or she complete the three-month apprenticeship. During this time they create many paintings, but most are discarded and only the best ones are given to friends and family.
