Small Bird, Big Dreams
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This painting was created in 2026. It was made using gouache and India ink. The framed dimensions are 13.25 x 11.75 in. The painting has been framed with archival materials and anti-reflective, 70% UV protective glass.
On Christopher's process: "The work is created on stretched watercolour paper. The images are drawn and rendered with gouache paints to make the painting opaque. The colour palette is strategically chosen from years of practice with this technique, which favours certain colours. A thin layer of black permanent India ink is brushed on to completely cover the entire piece.
The painting is sprayed in quick succession with water; the image begins to be revealed, shedding the layer of ink, which sits upon the gouache paint. The longer the water is sprayed, more of the paint is removed. This is accomplished as the gouache paint is water-soluble while the black ink is not. The resulting effect is akin to wood block printing, another historical Japanese art form, which also uses black ink.
The process creates a random and interesting combination which leaves the gouache colours lightened, giving the paint a muted effect, and leaving it with a pastel-like finish. Any part of the watercolour paper that has not been painted with gouache will remain black regardless of how long it is washed with water." - Christopher Harding
