Finished work · Seattle Prize
The Distraction
Feb 2026 – Jun 2026
My second project at the Seattle Prize, now finished.
4 posts and 20 photos from the studio, in the order Diego made them.
Follow the making ↓The process
From first sketch to finished painting.
First post · February 26, 2026
Starting to plan my next project. A surrealist take on orientalism. Inspired by an old sketch I made from imagination, I am now further developing the scene via color studies in preparation for the large canvas. In a digital world I prefer to work with my hands.
Stage 2 · April 2, 2026
After doing several color studies from imagination for my next painting, I’ve been taking my time to create the references I need to make the piece convincing on a large scale. So I bought several faux plants and flowers, as well as some fruit from Pike Place Market and got to work recreating an ornate elephant. I also used tables, chairs, flower pots and towels. Basically anything I could find around the studio to recreate the general shape of an elephant. Next, I will use these to inform my drawing on the final canvas.
Stage 3 · April 23, 2026
Having done a fairly meticulous drawing on the final canvas, I continued by doing a color wash and a block in. The goal is to get the big shapes and colors to work in conjunction before getting into several detail passes in the coming weeks.
Latest · June 15, 2026
I’m finally getting into the fun stuff with this large canvas. The main structure of the painting is all set up, and now it’s time to get into the nitty gritty details and bring this thing to life, starting with the ornaments on and around the elephant’s head. I’ve been looking forward to this part, so why not start there?
