Anthos

Anthos is a large sized original abstract painting that features a series of interlocking loops and arcs of paint. The painting is created in multiple layers, and the feature colours are aqua green, blue, gold and pink.

Paint dragging

There is an immense satisfaction to dragging paint. By this i mean the process of depositing a quantity n the canvas then using a tool (like a window squeegee) to move it backwards along the surface. This creates a line that can be overlapped and that’s how the layering is done.

However, that only tells part of the story. To get the intricate and detailed effects you see in Anthos, a base coat is required first but not allowed to dry. This means that every application of paint that goes on carries some fo that base coat with it. In this case it’s an off white so that then creates a dazzling array of tonal variations as the pant is moved. The white is essentially lightening the paint as it moves but in a wholly organic way.

And there’s more

In addition to this one must consider the paint drags that go over the top of the xisiting paint drags. These also pick up remnants of whatever they are dragged across so as they overlap other colours, so they pick those up as well.

This is how I get so many different colours to appear. I must also consider positioning and colour balance of course so this is always prevalent in my mind as I am creating these arc and loop paintings.

The finishing touches are usually applied a few days later and in this case that’s the thin, pink and purple loops that meander gently across the face of the other paint layers. The colours are sublime and the inclusion of yellow gold really makes this a standout piece in my opinion.