In this second state of what will become Sibyl 1, you can still see some of my original charcoal drawing taken from thumbnails I composed in my sketchbook. I based the initial drawing on concepts associated with the sibyl from Greek and Roman mythology. At this stage, I’m mostly looking for forms and for a sense of composition that will give me room for critical free play. I thin the oil paint with alkyd painting medium, which—based on the amount used—offers a variety of paint viscosi-ties.

In the sixth state I now have most of the basic forms and a few ideas of how the piece might operate, but have not settled on how the color can convey the content. By this time the majority of the painted surface has three to six layers of paint with some thinner splashed on to keep the image raw. I’ve also scraped the background layers that are wet— allowing colors to blend and smear—so I can begin building a sense of complexity.

In the course of nine sessions, most of the activity has been additive; however, now I am sanding down the surface lightly before I begin each session so that I can keep the surface porous and free of visible brushstrokes. I am still searching for an overall color scheme, as I consider how color will add to movement.

By the 12th state I’ve settled on a primary red-orange “figure” and a yel-low-green background, which, I realize, contradicts some of my earlier color choices. I am now only occasionally sanding the entire surface at the beginning of the session, and, at the end of each session, I’m less likely to splash the surface with thinner.

Demonstration continued on page 64

November 2008 ■ www.artistsmagazine.com