The early sketches for Libra on this page demonstrate how some of my early black-and-white pieces were developed and how I used Koh-i-noor technical pens in sketching them out. These Koh-i-Nor technical pens produce lines in a range of line widths, as shown in the chart that accompanies this entry. They helped guide the perceptual visualization process that aimed to portray a musical dynamic.
When used in my art, the nib numbers were approached as if they were musical notes, based on my initially intuitive understanding that the variations of the widths register differently perceptually. This resulted in something like a visual music. As with a musical composition there is a rhythm, but it is a perceptual rhythm that manifests from how the the textures and lines add perceptual depth, vibrancy, and musicality to a piece when one looks at it. Unfortunately, reproductions are woefully inadequate in showing the vitality of the pieces. This is because the smaller and flatten images reduce the size and diffuse the correspondences.
Most of the pieces in this series, developed between 1981 and 1985, are now lost. All of the pieces began with the symbol of a sign. Sometimes the symbol of the ruling planet were used to create a counterpoint for the design. In the case of Libra, the symbol of the planet Venus is evident in the sketch.Libra was one of the last overly dense compositions with ink that comprised the series, although by no means the final one.
Note, it is very easy to overwork this type of design. Also, because the works are on paper, they are hard to correct once ink is applied. Since thick paper was used (300-lb watercolor paper), it is possible to erase errors if one works very, very slowly. However, even if the ink is erased, the damage to the paper creates a subtle perceptual nuance. Just as accidentals in music, change the pitch of natural notes, paper erasure makes the paper a bit rougher. This subtly difference, while virtually invisible, does alter the effect/affect of a piece.
Other images in series include Capricorn and Gemini, below. The watercolor Capricorn is included to show that I sometimes included color diversions while working on the black-and-white series.
