Inhale, Release

Created using unique techniques, distilling skills the artist has developed over a career dedicated to figuration. For this work, the artist has developed a new process of working on paper on a large scale. Paper has some unique qualities of absorbency and texture which cannot be simulated or substituted. The paper used is heavy watercolour paper, stretched over wooden frames in the same way a canvas is usually produced. When finished the paper is incredibly taught and stronger than canvas. To start, a figurative drawing is made in charcoal. This ‘cartoon’ is then used as a guide for the production of the works you see here, broad brush strokes applied on a richly coloured ground. Materials are chosen for their ability to absorb or resist colour from previous layers, resulting in work made with ink, acrylic and oil paint. As many as nine layers are used to suggest depth and introduce light and shade. The brush strokes are rehearsed and the drawing you see here is not the first draft. The images have to be repeated and practiced, 1 in every 3 or 4 drawings being selected. The process is repeated with an image until it seems to appear without conscious direction. Size 0,8 x 1.1 metres. Framed in a pencil thin black tray frame, other framing options are available. Free delivery to mainland UK, enquire for other destinations.