Description
The Print
Only the finest materials were used to make this limited edition print, which I have produced myself. Both the paper (Somerset Enhanced Velvet) and the inks (Epson UltraChrome Pro) are of archival quality, meaning the print could last up to 400 years.
The Technique
I draw with Bic biros on raw linen canvas. To prepare the surface I lighten the canvas with a white oil paint wash. Once this is dry, I draw with the biro, as I would with pencil on paper. After the drawing is complete, it’s varnished (to fix the ink in place) and more white oil paint is used to add light and finalise the composition. The Bic ink is actually surprisingly versatile, in terms of its colour. If I want a blue tinge to the work I can smudge it, and a sepia tinge can be achieved by layering white oil paint over it. The paint interacts with the ink as it dries, changing the colour.
The Inspiration
Few animals can reflect our own emotions back to us quite as a gorilla can. Truly the greatest of the apes.
It is the mixture of power and soulfulness that I have tried to capture in this piece. Gorillas are thought to be 5 to 9 times stronger than humans and, therefore, have huge power. Yet are known to be gentle and curious and seem to share many of our emotions. They are critically endangered and urgent action is required to ensure their future.
