Ex 2.2

Project 2 – Basic Shapes and Fundamental Forms

20.5.2019

Part 1, Project 2, Exercise 2 – Observing shadow using blocks of tone

Exploring compositions. This arrangement ‘falls out’ of the frame on 3 sides. I would like for all of the top of the bottle to be included, and perhaps even the bottom as it is so close anyway. I like the personification of the two bottles, facing away from each other and the back one ‘protected’ within the bowl. It fills the frame well, and allows for strong shadows and interest. It does not, however, allow for much negative space with the three objects. As it has a squarish composition, it would not enlarge very successfully to an A2 proportion. I will try another composition.

This is a much stronger composition. The viewpoint has changed and is higher up, and we can see more inside the bowl. It is now a landscape format that would successfully enlarge to A2. The front shape, just in the frame leads the viewer in. It is pleasingly off set with negative space whereas the two objects that are the main focus of the picture are interacting together farther into the drawing. There is a relationship between them which is echoed in their shadows and reflections. These studies were drawn with pencil.

The idea for having higher perspective and looking down on the arrangement stemmed from a Matisse still-life painting I had seen, called ‘Lemons on a Pewter Plate (1926).

The simplicity of the subject is offset by the patterned fabric. The colour and value of the worktop creates a relationship with the fabric and a contrast to the grey coolness of the plate.

The task in this exercise was to create the objects from tone rather than outlines. It challenged me in that it is not an instinctive way to work for me and I had never tried creating a drawing in this way before.

However, I really enjoyed the challenge and was surprised to see the objects emerging from the background. The light tone of charcoal I laid over the base meant I could pull out highlights, creating a sense of the edges of objects.

It was helpful to work on a big scale as the charcoal could be laid on its side, even for relatively small areas. I am pleased with the reflections of the bowl and of the windows in the back bottle.

I used charcoal powder to add tone to the background. Perhaps this could have been stronger and not applied so streakily. This is something I will need to explore further in subsequent work.

On reflection I do not like the background line which creates a horizontal divide and will ensure that I am more conscious of this aspect of my design in future before I begin drawing. I could also have given more weight in terms of tone and contrast to the bottle at the front. In my preparatory drawing this front bottle was nearer the right hand edge of the paper. This was also more satisfactory. I also think the bottom of the rear bottle needs to be more rounded to more accurately reflect the higher perspective.

Value of Exercise?

• Learning to draw just using tone and no outlines.
• Developing ability to recognise tone, shadow and reflections.
• Recognising what makes a stronger composition, and the need to experiment with a couple of different options at least.
• Considering background in your composition
• Becoming more familiar with working with charcoal

What did I learn?

• To explore more than one viewpoint in the compositional sketches for the drawing
• Value of laying down a background tone is that you can then lift out highlights and they have a greater effect.
• Consider lines in the background as they can impact the overall composition.

Future ideas and wonderings

• So far, I have drawn all my objects against a plain background. The Matisse painting has a plain base, but is set against a simply decorated piece of fabric. It is far enough from the focus of the painting that it doesn’t compete. Perhaps, in light of this, I should give more consideration to backgrounds for future work.
• Keep exploring different perspectives and the impact it has on the work.
• Experiment with different toned supports

References:

Matisse, Henri, Bridgeman Education, Figure 1. “Lemons on a Pewter Plate”, (1926). At:

https://www.bridgemaneducation.com/en/search?filter_text=matisse+still+life&page=2. (Accessed 26.5.2019)