Who switched the lights off?
The Dark Series is an experiment in reversal, using black Canford paper, black media paper or black gesso with pens or Dr PH Martin inks. Usually using my dip pen, brush or quite often my fingers! The idea started with Inktober 2019 with Day 5 and the ‘Build’ prompt, and has developed into a series organically.
I had worked on black paper briefly before with pastels, but the inks give it a totally different aspect and means I don’t have to struggle to tone down the inks and using their intensity and opacity as positives. Focusing on the light areas rather than dark, inverting my usual way of working also is an interesting challenge. And given I do work a lot at night like with my Night Work series of paintings and drawings it makes sense to go Back to Black!
