Metempsychosis I - Flower Child (sold)
Ink and metal leaf on paper, mounted on card.
Custom painted wood frame
24 x 24 cm (artwork) - 30 x 30 cm (frame)
September 2019
Story behind the artwork :
This piece was made for the third edition of Vanitas show at Next Door Gallery (Geneva, CH)
I had in mind that i wanted to use the same technique and style as previous artworks (Ivy and Asphodel, namely), but not using a skull. I had made many skull pieces and wanted something less obviously linked to our western concept of death.
The plants included are : White Peony and Gardenia as the main features, Phalenopsis orchid, Poppy, Magnolia, Aster, Hoya, Snowdrop, Periwinkle, ferns and some “imaginary” ones as fillers.
Here are some work in progress shots, from initial drawing to the final gilding.
sketching in the main shapes.
Lines are inked in in fine pen and part of the dotwork has been done around the face.
Dotwork (also called stippling) is complete, the outlines have been thickened where needed. This is when i cut out the paper and mount it on sturdy card.
It needs to be done or the next steps will make the paper buckle.
After mounting the paper on card, I start the first layer of grey. I use Amsterdam acrylic ink Neutral Grey and a very fine brush.
I finish the grey tone and add the white (same Amsterdam acrylic ink).
The face is the last element that gets painted. It’s very light washes of grey. I didn’t want too much contrast.
Finished, with the silver gilding. I also add a very light wash of India ink to give the illusion of a drop shadow. It really gives the piece more volume.
I lost the photos of the gilding process when my phone died. I will maybe retrieve them at a later date… You can check Palingenesia that i made to go with Metempsychosis I. I used the exact same techniques so as to have similar look to the two pieces although they were made months apart.
I only chose a different colour for the gilding - copper for Palingenesia.
And here they are side by side in my studio. I’m glad I still had the original Metempsychosis I to have as technical and stylistic reference.
I am looking forward to seeing what their new home will look like!