I sculpt any references out of clay. I use sculpture when I need to match the light and shadow of a non-existing subject to a background. I always sculpt the models myself to put myself deeper into the painting. "Sasquatch Autopsy" is just one example:
Underpainting almost done.
This is the Thomas Eakins original work that I reinterpetated. Mr. Eakins was a man of science and scientific method. The idea came about when the scientifically sound evolution theory in public schools underwent an attack from advocates of a less sound so-called Creation theory (or Intelligent design). To honor Darwinism and science, I wanted to tip my hat to Thomas Eakins. I wanted to illustrate the conflict of science and religion using symbols of superstition (Sasquatch, the Archbishop) of science (the surgeon, left composition of bleachers in shape of double helix) and the casualties (mass extinction of animals, progressive ideas). All of these things are interconnected and I wanted to make this point through this painting.
Here is the double helix composition.
Evolution-Double Helix sculpture close up.
Evolution Double Helix.