For a very long time, since way back when I was a college engineering student, I’ve been fascinated with ancient architecture and stonework. Near the top of that list has always been the Egyptian statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, two massive representations of pharaoh Amenhotep III.
When I say massive, they are among the largest stone sculptures in the world. Each is 60 feet tall, on 13 foot bases. While you’re out googling them, make sure to check out all of the photos with the teeny, tiny people next to them.
I decided to create a new ink piece of the statues, which is itself a feat of accuracy and detail. But on top of that, I wanted to create the largest ink that I’ve done yet, a 16″ x 20″ piece with lots of details and lots of linework. It wouldn’t be easy, but I went ahead with it.
I won’t get into too much detail, as most of it you can see in the gallery of progress shots below. The stock that I use is a Strathmore Watercolor stock, 140 lb. Cold Press, which does great with ink.
The original size was also 18″ x 24″, but, as you can see if you googled them, the statues sit in a big field. Or, as we artists call it, a big fat lot of nothing. So, I trimmed it to 16″ x 20″, to save a bit of ink and some time. Below are the progress shots, in order of earliest to latest.
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Here’s the completed piece, simply called The Colossi of Memnon. I also added some close-up shots beneath the full art, in case you’re among those folks that like to check out linework. Let me know what you think of it too, and, if you are in the Kansas City area in May, come check out the original ink at my booth at the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live show.
