Chris Jenkins

I am an American artist who specializes in North American transportation equipment. I have worked in the transportation industry for nearly 30 years, so I am familiar with my favorite subject matter. I paint exclusively in oil. I am an associate member of the International Society of Marine Painters, the Allied Artists of America, Inc. and other art organizations.

Painting ships, trains or airplanes requires several elements, including accurate proportions, extensive use of perspective, and enough detail to make the subject convincing, but not cluttered. The setting should be accurate, and extensive research is often required.

I usually begin a painting by making pencil sketches of the subject from different angles. Once I am confident that I have a sound plan, I create a more detailed sketch, and add appropriate shading with a range of pencils. Then, with the sketch available for reference, I begin by making a monochrome under painting on colored canvas. Often, I don't find it necessary to make a detailed drawing on the canvas...a few tick marks or outlines will do the job once I have made all the sketches on paper. I then add layers of color, usually in several stages, working from top to bottom of the painting. Details and lettering are added last. Because oil dries slowly, many months often elapse between the initial steps and the completion of a painting.