Before
After
The Process
A sneak peak behind my technique!
Small paintings might look simple, but they demand more. Every stroke must be precise, leaving no room for mistakes.
Learn how I approach and complete each piece, from cover to canvas.
MUSIC
Throughout the entire process, I listen to the album in full—at least once while painting. Hearing the record from start to finish helps guide the overall mood and emotional tone of the piece. It allows me to experience the album as a complete work, rather than through isolated singles or popular tracks.
Albums are intentional creations. Transitions, pacing, and atmosphere often go unnoticed when listening casually, but they play a huge role in shaping the experience. Sitting with the music while painting helps me bridge the gap between sound and image. I feel positioned between the artwork and the music, and in that space, the process becomes more personal—bringing me closer to the artist and their original intention.
PAINTINGS
The process begins with careful observation. I spend time studying the original album cover, breaking it down visually before any paint touches the canvas. My approach is layered—similar to screen printing—which helps me understand what needs to be painted first and how each element builds toward the surface.
I begin by painting the background color, then sketching the proportions and placement of each element. Shapes are simplified, and clean edges are created to contain individual colors. This structure is what gives my work its distinct, stylized look—one that runs consistently through all of my painted album covers.
Once the first layer is fully painted, I seal it with a clear coat. After it dries, I reassess the piece and move on to the next layer. Sealing each stage allows me to wipe away acrylic paint if mistakes are made, keeping the process flexible and precise. This cycle—paint, seal, reassess—continues until the full composition is complete.
Final touches often include lettering such as the album title or artist name, along with subtle textures applied across the piece. While every album cover is different, most follow this layered structure. I finish each painting with multiple coats of matte clear coat to create a softened, uniform surface. The piece is then signed on the back and placed in a protective plastic sleeve to guard against dust and scratches, ensuring the original artwork is preserved.
PRINTS
After the painting is complete, I scan the original artwork at 600 DPI. While this may seem excessive for a 3” × 3” piece, it’s the best way I’ve found to accurately capture fine details and the texture of the canvas. The scan is cropped into a perfect 1:1 square and lightly color-corrected to match the original painting, as scanners can sometimes miss warmer tones.
I don’t make flimsy art prints. My images are printed onto high-quality, self-adhesive photo paper and then wrapped by hand around a 2mm-thick bookboard. The corners are folded carefully, and the edges are wrapped around the back, then concealed with a final paper backing—also created from a scanned, hand-painted label.
Each handmade print is finished by hand-writing the album title on the back and ink stamping it a unique catalog number, identifying the edition and print run. Every print is then placed in a protective plastic sleeve to ensure it arrives and remains in mint condition.
The result is a miniature album cover that looks and feels authentic. This construction method resists bending and is built to last. Unlike traditional prints that require framing, these pieces are meant to be tactile—handled, held, and appreciated the same way you’d interact with an actual record jacket.
Common Questions
Your colors really pop—how do you do that?
I carefully select the best-quality paints and inks for their natural vibrancy.
Each color is layered at least three times, so every stroke you see represents multiple passes,
meaning each painting carries essentially three times the effort you notice at first glance.
How do you paint on such a small canvas?
"Practice" is the overrated—but true—answer. It also depends on the piece.
I might use a toothpick to apply a dot, a tiny bristle brush for subtle textures, and masking tape to contain the area.
I also use magnifying reading glasses to get closer to the canvas.
I try to skip the extra coffee—because a shaky hand and tiny details don’t mix!
How long does it take to finish a painting?
Each painting takes between 2–8 hours. Sketching usually takes 45–60 minutes,
and I wait 10–20 minutes between layers for drying. I often move to other parts of the painting while waiting for layers to dry.
The final application is the trickiest—painting straight lines and getting the lettering just right is much harder than it seems.
Can you paint any album cover?
I usually paint my favorite albums, or ones with cool artwork.
If you can’t find your favorite in my collection, click here to request it!
Do you have a question about my art or curious about my process?
Send me a message!