Black objects often contain hints of indigo or deep navy tones. I remember that when I first started drawing animal portraits I leaned heavily into those cooler hues.

Now, for what I think is the second time in a row, I’m attempting to build black using a combination of coloured pencils and watercolour. Since I’ve never really described my process in detail before, this might come as a surprise...

Among them, one colour clearly stands above the rest. Whether I am working with pencils or paints, it is always there. Over time it has simply become a natural part of my visual language, a tone I return to again and again.