Sacred Geometry & Knots: 'Geo-Espresso Abstract' series

The use of Sacred Geometry in fine arts has been used for centuries going back as far as the ancient Egyptians artworks and is as important today to develop successful compositions and good design as it was in art history. 

In the 1980’s I studied a year of Interior Design and for the first time, I was introduced to the measurement phi, pi, Fibonacci sequence, sacred geometry, and the Golden Mean, which was the basics to learning and understanding the bones of designing interiors.

 'Geo-Espresso Abstract'...an artistic exploration with geometry.
To view, the entire series go HERE

I got itchy to have fun and play with geometry and abstract art while getting away from representational art for a break in my regular routine. The pursuit of art-making is about pushing boundaries and taking risks but it usually starts with some kind of contemplation through feelings and reflections, being inspired by viewing other artist's work and my day-to-day life. I research continually and like to study the old MASTERS and today’s new masters. 

Some dynamic 20th-century abstract artists rely on geometry’s magical, dynamic structures to create illusions with a visual rhythm in the paint. Opt art in the 1960s became mainstream used in advertising, fashion, interior design, and the new HIP art style of such artists including famous Victor Vasarely. Math meets art when M.C. Escher takes on his drafting skills to create some of the most mass-produced Opt art today. He was considered not worthy of being called an artist in his time but now he is appreciated for his famous twisted buildings that are illusions and seem to go on forever. 


In today's era, we have computers to create such perfected visual illusions such as computer artist, Ghee Beom Kim from Australia, who has some vibrant computer artworks with insightful explanations. 

Here is a link to Jim Denevan whose earthly geometry uses the earth surface as his canvas. Sand and Ice are etched by rakes, sticks, vehicles, shovels, etc. to make for beautiful geometry art that will be wiped out by mother-nature elements but not before being photographed and videoed by the aerial view of an airplane or helicopter. 

An example of using Fibonacci sequence given the original pentagon.

Following are two videos I enjoyed on YouTube that explain as simply as possible sacred geometry which is the heart of everything in the universe.

In the winter months, I got busy doing the exercises in the textbook ‘Universal Patterns’ by Martha Boles & Rochelle Newman (you can view some results of the exercises’ on 2 of my past BLOG entries). 


After the exercises, I created a series titled ‘Geo-Espresso Abstract’. Geo is Greek meaning earth and measure; Espresso means to express in measured amounts, individually, using a system to keep order and to build relatively quickly; Abstract represents art using lines, colors and shapes that are usually a nonrepresentational style of the 20^th century.

'Tsunami Manifestation', Bristol paper, pencil, and Copic Markers

ART TECHNIQUE: 'Tsunami Manifestation'

Stippling is many small dots or slashes creating an effect on the surface that the eye blends together naturally. In this example, I added several colors within the stippling to fuse and blend for shading and color mixing.

Theological Transformation, (Bristol paper, pencil, Copic markers) by Minaz Jantz

ART TECHNIQUE: 'Theological Transformations'
Stippling fine points of various tones of color
to create shadow effects and color mixing.
 Cross-hatched marks in red under the pink are added for texture.

Creating such detailed works with geometry, I needed a new medium and discovered a newfound ‘favorite’ medium, Copic Cia markers I bought a few supplies including; tracing paper that’s easy to erase and see-through, graphite tracing paper for coping onto my final paper, acid-free 19”x 24” Bristol Board 100 lb vellum that suits this ink medium very well, and 18 colors of Copic Ciao markers with refills.  The inks were recommended to me by someone over the phone from CURRY’S Art Supply. 

'Euphoric Shadows Transcending', Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Markers

ART TECHNIQUE: 'Euphoric Shadows Transcending'
Light color inks such as grey-beige tone over bright greens push the color tone into the background setting up the brilliance of the pure red more intensely.

' Oracle Utterance in Silence', Bristol paper, pencil Copic Markers

I was using the Staedtler pens but quickly ran out of ink working on such large works. Staedtler does make refills but only for a couple of colors and has to be special ordered. Still, I like to use the Staedtler pens, especially the fine points for outline and texture building, and will eventually buy refills for them too.

'Fast Finish at the Beginning',  Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Markers

'Fibonacci Fish in the Deep Blue Sea', Bristol paper, pencil, Copic markers

Copic Ciao markers are colorfast inks that come as a pen with two styles of nibs on one pen and can buy the matching refills. Copic Ciao also has a clear base fluid pen and refill that acts like an easer or lightens the tone of previous inked areas but don’t rely on it taking out all the pigments as some darker colors will only lighten an area, not remove it completely.

'Fusion Flight for Cosmic Souls', Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Markers

'Dog Blanket in Stitches', Bristol paper, pencil Copic Marker

I recommend buying the three-pack metal tip funnels for easier refilling the Copic Ciao ink pens. The funnel tip fits the refill container then you slide the metal funnel tip into the edge of the marker’s pen nib and lightly squeeze the refill container till you think the pen is full. This is the trial and error part…overfills will happen so I learned to put in less than more and let the pen sit on its side for a moment before using.  

Watch out when you open the newly refilled pen to see if the ink has overfilled the nib looking obviously very wet also filling the cap…too much ink can splat on you and paper. This has happened so I have a spare scrap paper to unload the excess. I clean the funnel tips immediately after use by running rubbing alcohol into the tip over a sink until it flows clear while also wiping with the paper towel to clean thoroughly so you can use another color with them.  I use rubbing alcohol for cleaning my hands too as it can get messy or you can wear gloves.

'Moroccan Sunset',  Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Markers

I also found out that hand sanitizer has alcohol in it for some creative mark-making by brushing it onto the inked paper surface to remove the color, creating texture with a sponge, for example, …trial and error! 

The Copic inks themselves can be treated in an application much like watercolor with its transparent fluidity and vibrant hues. The refill inks can be used and treated like paint with any type of tool such as brushes, sponges, and or the Copic Ciao pens. I layer the colors on top of each other to get a glazing action much like watercolor and for color mixing, changing the overall tone, and or creating texture. It’s important to have very light colors to use for glazing over the more intense hues.

'Nascent Fertility', Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Marker

To view, the entire series go HERE

I would like to add more of the color selections offered in Copic Ciao pens and add them to my ever-expanding art-making collection and will also take them as my traveling drawing kit.  I recommend definitely the refills with the pens because you can go through a lot of ink when filling in the large spaces.

'Spring into Paisley', Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Markers

To view, the entire series go HERE

ART TECHNIQUE:  'Paisley in Spring'

Using the wide nib of the pen, I stroke blocks of color in a variety of directions and with various colors for visual eye mixing and for texture. The blue around the yellow daisy was lightened by using the Copic clear fluid that takes away color.

NOW for the art-making, I start off drawing some basic grids to get all the lines as straight as I can with my drafting triangle and ruler, while measuring for some eventual complex patterns. I want to play around with ideas on the transparent paper that measures the same size as the Bristol paper which will be for my final drawing. 

I work out my design using my drafting tools, an eraser to take away the basic grid lines eventually I can see the pattern developing, then darken the lines I like with softer pencil, plan color themes, build up textures, etc. until I get something that looks interesting to me. 

Sometimes I work it all out in this stage while other times I work out the details once traced onto the Bristol board. Once I get most of the design drawn out on my see-through paper, I will transfer the image with graphite tracing paper making sure both papers are lined up with the Bristol paper on the bottom. 

NOTE: The graphite tracing paper will leave marks on your final paper and can not erase so I trace lightly and only trace out the outlines, leaving textural details out for the final drawing as the graphite tracing paper will show up under some of the lighter tones of inks.

'Kaleidoscope Tango', Bristol paper, pencil, Copic Markers

To view, the entire series go HERE

Working on the final drawing with the inks, I follow my guideline ‘free hand’ meaning I no longer use the ruler to draw the lines. WHY??? I find that it has an organic vibe to the drawing and doesn’t feel like its computer designed. 

My past Russian art teacher expressed vehemently, with her intense Russian accent, “Computers should design rooms for only computers, people should draw freehand for rooms that contain people!!!” …this was back in the ’80s when CAD designer software was just being developed and the drawings all looked sterile…she hated it and I agreed. Funny, now they hire artists to draw out the computer drawings because the average Joe is not responsive to these PERFECT drawings. Thankfully I learned to do it all by hand.

I found on YouTube a documentary series called 'The Code' by BBC on math and its beautiful relationship with the universe. I recommend watching it. My favorite was part 2 where they featured a Bubble Blowing artist to demonstrate Sacred Geometry!

BBC 'The Code'…

#1 http://youtu.be/SBL3pyosp8Q

#2 http://youtu.be/iULtwXwTxaA

#3 http://youtu.be/fsc3qgooZJo

Empowered by Math...Minaz Jantz