“Nyx” 36″ x 48″ Acrylic on Canvas
Nyx was named by the Greeks as the goddess of the night. She was said to be mysterious, beautiful, and more powerful than Zeus. One account I read online stated that she was said to be often wrapped in mist. I’m not sure why I didn’t give her any hair – she just seemed more powerful and beautiful without hair. The idea for this painting began about 3 years ago from a journal sketch.
Even a journal doodle can sometimes turn into a finished painting! Someone had given me the moon stamp and I used it in my journal, then drew the figure in after I had stamped it.
It took me a long time to finish this painting – I just couldn’t seem to find the way. I always think when I begin a painting that its already there, just waiting there for me to discover a way to bring it out. This is the last unfinished painting I set myself to finish for 2011, there were two others. Now I can begin with new thoughts!
I only used four colors for this painting. I tried to set a feeling of night,with the only light coming from the cool light of the moon. I used Titanium White (Liquitex), Unbleached Titanium (Liquitex), Anthraquinone Blue (Golden), and Payne’s Gray (Grumbacher), which I like because it has a very blue tint, more so than other brands of that color.
Nyx – Goddess of the Night
This is a gorgeous piece. Your journal drawing was nice but this is a big improvement and turned out awesome.
Love your goddess, especially her face. I just cannot do faces and of all things I have decided to do my sketchbook project 2012 on ‘faces’ yikes I am silly.
Beautiful – the ethereal quality is just perfect.