During a trip to Ireland in 1969 with Frances, GRATALOUP is very inspired by the seascapes. He made numerous drawings and took notes on the motif in front of the sea.

In 1971, back in his studio after his stay at the Villa Medici, he began to make lacerations and rubbing of his drawings.

The sea will always be a great source of inspiration for him. He will then often take up this theme through various expressions during his research.

This era is that of his monochromes. From the matrix is declined a series of monochromes of different colors.

"This is a monochromatic sequence with a subtext of vibrations produced here in front of the sea, from two points, left and right down for each monochrome."