We have found a rhythm, beginning and ending the day together doing basic drawing exercises; in between is the time for individual work; from dealing with black and white as plain and separate colours, we are now turning to the drama of light and darkness; we share food and experiences; the fire keeps us warm and Sigrid’s gold plate is gleaming in the dusk above.

So now it has begun; together with the students and with Sigrid, my fellow teacher, I’m in the swing between different aspects of black and white; using graphite pencil on the immobile and flat paper surface to describe alternately movement and space; and turning white primer into black with pigments like emerald green, crimson and ultramarine as well as the distinctly different blacks.

I profoundly enjoy this kind of extended research, where a common issue is experienced, cultivated and understood through a range of temperaments.

first coating

Thanks to Ulf Wagner, who entrusted me with this task.

And thanks to the students and Sigrid; being there, making it.

During the last week, I have been preparing for a teaching period at the Rudolf Steiner seminar in Järna – trying out how to make black primer and white pastel crayons. Black and white is the theme, the season suggests beginning from darkness. Since black and white readily goes into form, this is an effort to keep their quality as colours in mind.