Black and white painting: some thoughts

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Thoughts on black and white painting

I`ve put a showcase of black and white works here:

https://tadeuszderegowskiblackandwhite.blogspot.com/

I have been working on and off in this mode since 2012.

 What are some thoughts? 

In no order of importance:

1. The technique is very simple compared to colour work. I need only use one brush, and I can correct things far more easily than when working in colour. The decisions to make are considerably fewer. and I can respond much more rapidly to scenes and to changes in scenes. 

2. The technique emphasizes texture. I can create texture with cloths, brushwork and the underlying texture of the support.

3. The technique invites introversion. I believe that colour is essentially more decorative than black and white,  and that black and white has an essential seriousness.

4. The technique tends to create  melodrama. This is most obvious in the depiction of skies, where clouds become very dramatic if described starkly in black and white. Similarly, shadows have far more drama than they would in colour.

5. As it requires less equipment, it is much easier to carry materials around. This is very liberating.

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