Color of Tone. The Fourth 'Book of Schemes'. Album #1, the First Folder 1978

Valerii Lamakh made this work, "Color of Tone," using what looks like pencil and gouache, as part of his 'Book of Schemes.' The palette is tight, and almost entirely grayscale, but within that restriction, Lamakh finds a lot of room to play. The star at the center of the image feels solid and stable. The gouache is opaque, layered on the paper, giving the image a real presence. But it’s the little imperfections that bring it to life: look at the top left circle, how the gray paint is a little uneven, and how the artist doesn’t try to correct it, but instead lets it stand as a testament to the process. The “schemes” are reminiscent of Hilma af Klint’s diagrammatic paintings. But where Klint’s works are full of light and vibrant color, Lamakh holds back, creating a sense of quiet contemplation. The work invites us to consider the creative potential inherent in limitation. What can you do with a restricted set of tools? How does process inform the final product?