About my artworks on paper

I make many snapshots of flowers, trees and plants, and sketches using those to create a personal impression of the natural beauty and not a realistic image. For example, I like the photographic, interesting, abstract effects of the wind when it moves branches and stalks. I love to work with paper because the specific characteristics I cannot translate to other materials such as linen.

 

My technique allows fast results and using a method that suits my temperament. That means I don’t like to wait when paintingmaterials needs time to dry. I make use of high quality paper like the 400 grams Hahnemühle - and the watercolor paper Fabriano. And before I start my method I’m stretching the paper with tape therefore nearly no wrinkles are visible when finishing my artworks. 

 

Landscapes in the washed ink technique of the early 16thcentury Japanese Hasegawa Tõhaku, a famous artist at his time and working at the court, I discovered during artschool. Even now his ancient wall screens are having a modern atmosphere. Besides the washed ink technique I was occupied by model drawing and the dry-point etching method still visible in my varied especially black lines. 

The name PASTELPAINTING is invented in the 18e century while famous artists made portraits of the elite with pastels on paper similar and alike paintings. Masters like the Italian Rosalba Carièrra and the French Maurice Quentin de La Tour and at that time accepted as a serious method. Remembering the early Renaissance period when Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo making their sketches which are still in a good shape and are still fresh and very beautiful. Meaning that paper, when well preserved, can be like canvas having a long lasting quality. 

 

My Pastelpaintings are a mix of Eastern and Western techniques that yield picturesque effects. I start with a charcoal of with pastels at a background drawing on a piece of chucked paper. In this layer, while it is still wet, I make scratches in some places, simply by using my nails. To some works, I add a thin layer of white acryl paint. As a last phase, I apply pastel. This technique features great density of color because it uses pure pigments. In summary, the means I choose are minimal: ink, water, chalk, to which I sometimes add a base layer of washed ink. Except for the base, for which I use brushes, I draw as directly as possible with my hands, especially when I apply the last pastel layers where I must use my fingers to achieve a delicate blend of colors. The combination of this technique and the prepared background results in strong-bodied, colorful pastels with a picturesque effect. I like that.

 

 

The wind and the Passion flowers, 120 x 160cm, 63 x 48 inches