Every miniature is a journey combining traditional Renaissance techniques, patient craftsmanship, and the thrill of the hunt for perfect vintage frames.
It starts with inspiration—a botanical specimen from my garden, an interesting eye I photographed, a landscape that won't leave my mind. I sketch thumbnail compositions, considering how the chiaroscuro technique will dramatize the subject.
At this tiny scale, every decision matters. The composition must work from both close viewing and at arm's length. Light and shadow become the primary tools for creating depth and drama.
Using professional-grade oil paints on canvas board, I work in layers—just as the Old Masters did. The underpainting establishes values, then successive glazes build depth and luminosity.
Chiaroscuro technique means working with dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. I'm constantly thinking about where the light source hits, how shadows fall, where highlights dance. Each brushstroke is deliberate at this scale.
The work takes hours of patient application. Oil paints dry slowly, allowing me to blend and refine, but also requiring patience between layers. This isn't rush work—each miniature demands the same care as a full-sized painting.
Oil paintings need time. While touch-dry happens within days, full curing takes weeks. The painting rests in my studio, protected from dust and curious cats, as the oils oxidize and harden properly.
This waiting period is frustrating but essential. Rush it, and the paint remains vulnerable. Patience here ensures your miniature will last generations, just like those Renaissance masterpieces that inspired these techniques.
While the paint cures, I'm hunting through Norfolk's antique shops and estate sales. Finding the right vintage Rococo frame is its own art form—part intuition, part luck, entirely addictive.
These frames date from the 18th and 19th centuries. They've lived entire lives before meeting my miniatures. Some need gentle cleaning; others are perfect as found. Each has its own character—gilt that's aged to perfection, ornate details that catch light beautifully.
The matching process is magical. When the right frame meets the right painting, they complete each other. The baroque opulence of the frame elevates the Renaissance technique of the painting. Together, they're more than the sum of parts.
The cured painting meets its frame. Careful mounting ensures the work is secure but can be removed if needed for conservation decades from now. I add hanging hardware or easel backs depending on the piece's size and display needs.
Final inspection checks every detail—are the colors singing? Does the frame complement perfectly? Would I be proud to own this myself? Only when every element aligns does it become a Rocolia piece.
Each piece gets photographed from multiple angles—the painting itself, detail shots showing texture and brushwork, the frame's character, and styled shots for scale. These images become the piece's portfolio.
I create a certificate of authenticity documenting the subject, size, date, and frame provenance. Care instructions are included because these are heirlooms deserving proper stewardship.
Finally, eco-friendly packaging: recycled tissue paper, protective cardboard, reused boxes. Your miniature travels safely while keeping our environmental impact small—appropriate for art this intimate.
Browse the complete gallery of finished miniatures, each one carrying this process from concept to completion.
View the Gallery