Orcorhombic

This started as an experiment with triangles. Drawing them, linking them together with other orthogonal shapes in a random pattern. After a while, some of the resulting patterns suggested the shape of quartz crystals. The geologists among you may be aware that these crystals are termed ‘orthorhombic’, and that became the working title. As I worked across the A3 paper, I started to see something else emerging; some kind of monster leaping from the page. I think this experience is called paradoielia, where we see shapes in random phenomena such as clouds or coffee stains. Anyway, I couldn’t shake off this image, and I started to draw the triangles with the monster in mind. Once seen never unseen, so to speak. Finally, it became clear that the creature had features reminiscent of how I imagined Tolkien’s orcs to look. The title morphed into ‘Orcorhombic’. Perhaps it also draws on my memories of early Marvel comics, particularly the Fantastic Four - could this be an evil Ben Grimm, maybe?