13 January 2013

New Paintings and Oceanus 1

New paintings started today. 18 in total using raw sienna, indian red, azo yellow and an olive green. An unusual colour and given to me, so trying out a hue never usually sourced myself. As with all colours the manufacturers' mix is at pigment stage so even the tertiary colours and greys have a luminosity hard to match when mixing on the palatte. With these new paintings I have bgun all with low key colours pushing a shape in different direction. These feel like somehting new. Not done this before. I have also started Oceanus 1, wavy banner project first side. The theme of movement and wave providing impetus for a painting of linear form.

SEA Research at British Museum 2

Tomb of Kybernis, see last post....

SEA Research at British Museum 1

Considering the depiction of ocean, waves and water in various creative media and periods, the British Museum led to looking at a mosaic of a sea god, from the 4th century in Gloucestershire. The acquatic scene depicts the head and upper torso of a sea god, either Oceanus or Neptune, with a staggling eard and lobster claws at each temple and a trident across one shoulder. He is surrounded by dolphins, mythical creatures and sea vegetation. Not so much depiction of waves in this but the title lingers. Whilst there I was struck also be the Tomb of Kybernis, about 480 BC where sirens, winged creatures, carry figure maybe the souls of the deceased. The same figures appear in a church in Oxfordshire, al though I can't recall the name, the figures are strikingly recognisable. From this Oceanus will be the working title for wavy banner project.