The creation of “Sushi on Stone II” followed a deliberate, layered approach rooted in the traditions of classical still life painting—where each phase serves to clarify form, refine balance, and build a quiet luminosity from within.

The arrangement was composed and lit within a custom shadow box beside the easel, allowing for fine control over light, shadow, and surface reflection. This setup remained fixed throughout the painting’s development, ensuring continuity of observation and atmosphere.

Initial thumbnail sketches helped resolve the compositional rhythm—establishing not only the placement of the sushi and stone, but the negative space surrounding them. A focused color study followed, testing the temperature and tonal relationships that would carry the visual weight of the final image.

The drawing was then transferred to a prepared panel using light charcoal. From there, a monochromatic underpainting was developed, establishing the foundational structure of light and shadow. This layer clarified the core values of the piece before the complexity of color was introduced.

The final stages were executed slowly and with precision. Using thin glazes and subtle opaques, the translucent layers of fish, the textured grain of the rice, and the softly weathered stone were built up over time. Attention was paid not only to the objects themselves, but to the air around them—the quiet space that allows each form to breathe.

The process invites stillness. It resists haste. Every stage is meant to serve the viewer’s experience of presence—to create an image that holds itself with clarity, balance, and quiet intent.