Drawing from the shoulder

As I draw more successfully from the shoulder, I tend to be happiest standing and drawing on big paper. I get more fluency and the linear marks are nearer to what my eye sees than those in my sketch book.

Do I need a bigger sketchbook ?
Must look for a good hardback one that I like to use. Much more effective larger marks when large and so I have problems working on A4 and even A2 at times.

Think the same with the brush. I need to stand back more. Buying a couple of long handled brushes has helped. When I work too closely I get detail but do not always want or need.


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Contemporary painter Charlotte Sorapure

Went to see her solo exhibition at Messums before it closed on 31st Mar. I wasn t going to bother but I failed to get a ticket to see the Lucien Freud exhib on the day.
So pleased that I went along. Her painting is just exquisite in brushwork, colour, range of tones and beautifully chosen contrasts. Unfortunately, the catalogue has dark repros and doesn't do her work any justice.

I wanted to see a contemporary working artist and in particular the composition. Her composition is so good that the eye is drawn in and swept up with the musicality of the colour shapes and marks. What a treat. Would love to own one of hers.
Interestingly, her drawings are fine and precise, not in tone notes but in delicate sometimes ethereal almost spiritual drawings that lead to painting composition so well. The rhythm of the paintings are seen in the drawings.

Cause for reflection indeed.


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Thiebaud - looking at work

Beautiful colour with eye watering precision, contrasting and complementary colours. Foreground detail colour shape is again , precisely executed.


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Waynes Thiebaud work

Interesting use of colour and shape to have a go at. Looks glossy. Balance and comp symmetrical almost. Flat colour too with some foreground texture. Appealing But satisfying. Use of edges to imply and connect. To strengthen comp.



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Squaring Up, Prep 2. Colour study and squared up painting start

As usual the colour sketch has the edge. The accurately squared up painting is mechanical at the start. Not sure if I can work well this way. However, painting is 3 hours old so far.

Next steps: trying to take on board the tutor notes to
* widen use of colour away from pastel
* build depth
* be alert to complexity of detail in the wrong places in the composition




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Squaring Up, prep overview 1

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Squaring Up

This is a sketch in colour of the ( landscape) photo taken in Morroco: squared up two and a half times as a practice.

Lost some confidence in use of colour so am trying out a colour study as part of the process.

The sketch is landscape with the blue line at the top.
Enjoyed the sketching and squaring up but not as much the paint.



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