Reon Argondian and his Magical Cavern

Renaissance technique

Reon's paintings are made using the Renaissance technique that Reon learned in his young years as a restorer of paintings of the old masters when he lived in Lucerne (Switzerland). The painting is created by several (usually 3) superposed layers of paint on a tested foundation. Special wooden boards known as the "medium" are impregnated by this foundation formula.

In between each layer of oil paint, there needs to be enough time for it to dry up, usually 2-6 months, before another layer can be applied. Therefore, a painting stays unfinished in the atelier for approximately one year together with several other paintings for the possibility of everyday creation. Paintings therefore leave the atelier in series every 1-2 years and this forms the basis for new exhibitions.

"A la prima" technique

To relax from the time-consuming classical technique of the old masters, Reon sometimes practices the "A la prima" painting technique. It is spontaneous and expressive painting without foundation and extra layers and it vibrates with unchained energy. Its realisation is only possible before the paint starts drying up to keep its lively freshness and the raw expressive energy of this technique. It doesn't require the patience of many months to finish a painting; at the expense of this it doesn't offer the possibility to show more concrete detail. It is more of a study and depiction of exploding colourful energies.

Despite the differences in the creation process, paintings made using the two techniques can be put together at exhibitions.