Often, in the initial preparation of canvases, I have been struck by the transitional images and patterns formed as I apply black gesso and various mediums. Being mindful of Ronald Bloore's advice to Ken Lochhead, "go back to square one and start with black and white" I finally got up the courage to stop before the application of colour.

In this resulting piece, the all-black surface reads anything but. This, of course, is due mainly to the difference in surface textures of the various areas resulting from the different material properties causing differences in reflectivity.

This is also a kinechromatic surface as areas become lighter and darker, often reversing roles, as the viewer moves.

This is the basis for a new series motivated by Etude No. 12 and Etude No. 18.