Process plays an essential role in Herring’s practice. Beginning digitally to experiment with composition and form, he then builds each artwork by hand using layered collage techniques, silkscreen, acrylic, spray paint and hand-applied metal leaf. Recently, he has also begun incorporating lace printing into his backgrounds, creating delicate floral textures that bring additional depth and tactility to the work. Every surface is carefully constructed piece by piece, resulting in compositions rich in texture and detail.

Metal leaf remains one of the defining elements of Herring’s work. Drawn to its organic and reflective qualities, he uses gold and silver leaf not simply as decorative finishes, but as living materials that shift and change throughout the day as they catch the light. Inspired by the gold halos of religious iconography, these luminous circular forms appear behind many of his figures, reimagined here as contemporary symbols of reverence for the natural world.

Music, travel, fashion photography and time spent outdoors all feed into Herring’s creative process. Whether collecting feathers on woodland walks or drawing inspiration from the colours and textures of the ocean, his work reflects a fascination with the relationship between humanity and the environment around us. Through layered materials, symbolic imagery and reflective surfaces, Herring invites viewers to pause, reconnect and rediscover the beauty and balance found in nature.

From the first carefully placed collage element to the final application of gold leaf, Herring’s studio practice is one of experimentation, intuition and craftsmanship — transforming raw materials into immersive visual worlds filled with light, symbolism and storytelling.