The Artist's Proofs of Cobalt Blue Light.
The idea of making an artist's proof (AP) comes from printmaking, where several prints are made as proof of concept before starting the entire print run.
In my case, I am painting each proof by hand rather than printing them, but the concept remains the same. I make them to decide what a given color should look like. Even minor variations in how a color is prepared or applied can drastically change the appearance of the painted swatch. So for each color, I paint at least two proofs to use as a guideline before painting the whole set of 10 studies. When dealing with colors that are difficult to paint, Cobalt Blue being one of them, I will paint additional proofs until I get the shade I am looking for.
Cobalt Blue Light (39x37/PB28) AP I, 2020
Oil and ink on heavy cotton rag paper
Edition of 10 + 4-6 AP
50 x 40 cm
The above is the first monochrome color study that I painted in 2020. After making dozens of tests on 20x20 cm squares, trying a variety of formulas and techniques to apply paint- I finally painted this one. It has several imperfections, but it is the first one, and I will probably never sell it. The picture was taken in the evening with the frame sitting on a kitchen countertop. A regular light hitting the color swatch gives it a dramatic effect. Even a light shade of Cobalt Blue is a dark color, but illuminated it shines in a bright chroma.
Cobalt Blue Light (39x37/PB28) AP II, 2021
Oil and ink on heavy cotton rag paper
Edition of 10 + 4-6 AP
50 x 40 cm
Cobalt Blue Light (39x37/PB28) AP II, with only the first of several layers painted.
As I was still experimenting, I modified the technique by painting AP no. II in layers with a bristle brush on white ground. A process that I've only used for this painting. Afterwards I decided to be purist about using only a single pigment per monochrome painting, which should exclude any white pigment used as a ground. As simple as it looks- the making of this painting was challenging, and the process left strong marks on the color surface. Cobalt Blue Light (39x37/PB28) APII will always remain a peculiarity among the other color studies.
Cobalt Blue Light (39x37/PB28) AP IV, 2020
Oil and ink on heavy cotton rag paper
Edition of 10 + 4-6 AP
50 x 40 cm
The Artist Proofs no. III and IV came out flawless. As good as I can possibly paint a swatch of blue oil paint.
Cobalt Blue Light (39x37/PB28) AP I as it is hanging in my apartment. I have not gotten around to setting a light on it, and maybe I will leave it as it is. I like how it just quietly sits in its space. In the evenings it is a very dark color, and on a bright day, the color becomes a more lively shade of blue.