The Jak Connolly “Polymath” series was inspired by his love for oil painting and from the old masters' techniques of the renaissance period.
Often the masters create a monochrome “dead layer” first in a neutral value scale by mixing complementary colors ultra marine (blue) and burnt umber (orange, brown). This would give a very neutral black if mixed correctly.
The Polymath series by Jak Connolly is knowledge from the old artists.