I was interested in using oil paints and graphite pencils on the same surface. In preparing the pieces I chose to abstract old sketches and use those abstractions as the subject. I didn’t want a recognizable subject so as not to distract from the materials being used.
In making the pieces I became interested in highlighting how the oil paint is applied to the surface. I left brush marks and textured places of oil paint to let the viewer have a glimpse of what tools were being used.
The mark making with the graphite pencil is perfunctory and repetitive, whereas the mark making with the oil paint has more fluidity and rhythm. I hope the viewer can contemplate the various type of mark making with the materials and feel inspired to explore how the tools of an artist can be used.