I began by
writing a variety of numerical hieroglyphics on the gessoed canvas with a huge
Sharpie.
Then I collaged tissue paper for texture, as well as Light Molding Paste. This
was left to dry thoroughly.
The next step was to cover most of the canvas
with a thin layer of Golden's quinacridone gold fluid
mixed with matte medium. While it was still drying, I drew into the paint with a
rubber shaper. This pushes away the paint and leaves the white layer below.
I taped off a
strip down the right-hand side and painted it with carbon black fluid. Again, I
scraped into the
paint with rubber shapers. I added more black in loosed washes on the
left. The bottom section and the upper rectangle are painted with quinacridone
burnt orange fluid, which I also scraped into with the shapers. These lower
layers are important for the eventual subtlety of the painting. Only small
glimpses of them will be visible.
On the left I have added loose, gestural
strokes of titan buff with a wide brush.
On the right I have begun to simplify the composition by covering up a large
part of the top area with a mixture of yellow ochre and titan buff. I have
broken up the large vertical rectangle into three smaller shapes. I
have darkened the lower half of the painting with black mixed with quinacridone
burnt orange.
Now I begin adding numeric hieroglyphics ink and paint to the upper layers - the ten ovals at bottom left, the abacus beads at the top, and the Roman numerals in the center. I have also drawn in some circles at top left.
On the right I have begun altering the value proportions, painting over most of the black in the middle with yellow ochre, while leaving a few small shapes in the original dark colors.
Counting Systems #5 ©Ann Baldwin 48 x 24in. mixed
media o/c
The finished painting: I have added several layers of transparent yellow oxide fluid to increase the sense of depth in the middle third of the painting. I have washed over the top area with zinc white, a translucent paint which allows previous layers to show through. I have painted back part of the black vertical strip which had disappeared under titan buff on the right. I have lightened some of the lower dark area with the edition of red oxide and quinacridone burnt orange. Finally I have drawn a triangle with black crayon (Caran d'Ache Neocolor I wax-oil). Et voilą!