An award winning artist, Peg Benison has had extensive formal training in the fine arts. After graduating from The College of The Holy Cross, she continued her studies at Parsons School of Design. There, for three years, she studied Classical Painting Technique. She now uses these classical painting techniques, developed during the Renaissance, to create thoroughly modern works of art.

Classical painting technique starts by creating an underpainting. Using primarily white paint and working on a toned canvas, the form is modeled and developed. A white emulsion is used, to give this layer of the painting the strongest ability to reflect light.

After the underpainting has dried, the color layer is started. Many layers of sheer oil paint are applied. When the painting is finished, light in the room passes through the sheer layers of color and is reflected back out by the underpainting. Although this technique requires a great deal of time and skill, it creates in the completed painting a lifelike glow.

Peg Benison's formal training and technique gives her the ability to paint realistic and expressive portraits and figures. With care, oil portraits will last and be enjoyed through the years, and handed down from generation to generation.