I learned to work in with reasonable facility in Oils, the most venerable of paint media, with all the heritage of Old Masters and the unmistakable linseed oil tinged scent of This Is Bloody Well Fine Art Goddammit. But I could never wrap my head around learning to stop working two weeks before a piece was due to let it be dry enough to handle. I gravitated towards acrylics, which were damn versatile and I could work to the last minute and dry the thing with a blow dryer ten minutes before I handed it in.

Even as a student, all the signs were pointed towards a career in Commercial Art A harrowing experience transporting a wet oil portrait on a rush hour subway went a long way towards sealing the deal...