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Grisaille:  In the classical method grisaille is an underpainting executed in gray  it is also called the dead layer. The grisaille is then followed with layers of glazing and opaque color.
 

I decided to begin this painting, White Rose Spiral, with a grisaille underpainting....

White Rose Spiral 36x36

In my larger rose paintings I have found that achieving accurate values and even tonal gradations has been an ongoing issue. I am hoping that I can (ahem,) nip that problem in the bud by painting in the correct values and blending tones with the grisaille - before I complicate everything with color. A lovely side effect of painting en grisaille is that the grays underneath the glazing and color result in some gorgeous color subtleties.

 Here are some stages of the grisaille underpainting:

Calculating The Arc (Of Desire)

Sometimes when I am working on a larger piece I document the process/progress over a period of weeks. This is the third session I have worked on this painting; right now I am establishing values and building up the paint surface with glazing and opaque layers.

 I intuitively chose the intersecting arcs to add depth to the image. I have mentioned before that I find it interesting to make a reference point that establishes perspective and creates space; there are two planes here, the ellipse of the rose and the plane closer to the surface- where the intersecting arcs lie.

 I am experimenting with the arcs as I go giving myself time to think about their placement and in particular where they intersect. I used green masking tape, because I can change it easily. Ultimately they will be drawn with a string compass and painted in orange.

It is kind of a rose trajectory; the working title is Calculating The Arc (Of Desire.)

Sub Rosa

Sub Rosa, comes from Latin; under the rose:  a term used to denote secrecy.  It’s origin is found in Greek and Roman mythology.  In medieval times a rose hung in council  chambers  bound all those  present to secrecy, and in Christianity, a five petal rose over the confessional  insured confidentiality.  Today sub rosa is a by word for covert operations.  A red rose? Passion, violence.

Under the red rose the coyotes conduct a secret discussion- sub rosa.

 Native American icon, Coyote the trickster seems an appropriate vanitas symbol for our contemporary culture.  So many secrets.

Quite a few tricks.

Vanitas vanitatum omni vanitas

I have been painting close up images of roses. They began as studies an attempt to better understand the structure of the rose so that I can paint them more accurately.  I use digital images printed on regular paper as reference material.

While working on these images I had trouble navigating their complexity, I often lost my place and found I did not know which way was up.  I thought to myself, “I keep getting lost: what I need is a map or a compass to find my way around here” 

That is how the Rose Compass came about.  The rose compass is based on a compass rose, the ornate design element indicating the cardinal directions or direction of the winds.  Known since ancient times, now we find the compass rose on maps and navigational charts showing the orientation of north south east and west. On any journey it is essential to know where true north lies, a compass points the way.

Ah yes, True North.  Doesn’t every artist need to know where that is?