Sean Scully

The work is comprised of three main sections, each a deep wooden framework, over the face and sides of which have been stretched a heavy linen canvas. The framework of the largest section has been modified to accept a small insert (fourth) canvassed framework. The strainers were made in New York.

The four canvases were given a mid toned grey/brown priming layer. The general tonality of this priming was then lowered on the smallest inset canvas with a relatively thin application of black paint which also served to delineate the edges of the intended horizontal 'plank' shapes. These forms were then built up in thickly and vigorously brushed paint, within the black delineations, starting with a dark mushroom colour and working up the paint with a broken layer of light stone colour. The thickly applied oil paint was enriched by the addition of Winsor & Newton's artists' liquid medium, Liquin.

The three large canvases have blue/black delineation of the shapes with a bright duck egg blue underpainting of the shape areas. Subsequent painting is again very heavily brushmarked but on these canvases the counterposed bands of subdued colour are achieved using a rich black alongside the bands of mid toned warm grey. These late applications are brushed up to the margins indicated in the underpainting, and small flickering glimpses of the bright underpainting are allowed to remain visible at the band edges. The later layers are made with stand oil, Winton Painting Medium, and a small amount of dammar varnish.

Roy Perry
1994