Analysis of Reproductions - Darks Based on "Lighthouse at Two Lights" by Edward Hopper 3 March 2014 Graphite Pencil on Paper 16.5cm x 11.5cm (6.5" x 4.5") |
I am persevering with the Composition from Reproductions and Analysis of Reproductions exercises from the Natural Way to Draw (see Composition from Reproductions). Kimon Nicolaides suggests doing the exercises for 4 years, so I have a few years to go.
The Composition from Reproductions exercise involves drawing small gesture studies from works of art. Nicolaides specifies they are to be done quickly and I use a two minute time limit for each study. The Analysis of Reproductions exercise is an extension of the basic exercise and uses the gesture studies from the original exercise as a starting point. It has three variations:
- Take one of the gesture studies and spot in the dark areas of the composition
- Turn one of the gesture studies upside down and use it as a starting point for a gesture study of something you have recently seen or done
- Take one of the gesture studies and analyse the straight and curved lines in the composition
I approach these analysis exercises in a more relaxed way and spend up to 10 minutes on each study.
I work on a 5 week cycle - Composition from Reproductions exercises for 4 weeks (studying a different artist each week) and Analysis of Reproductions on the fifth week. So far I've studied works from 48 artists. I aim to spend about 40 minutes a week on the exercises, but when I am busy, this is the first thing I drop from my schedule.
I have a love hate relationship with the basic composition exercise. It’s enjoyable to study an artist’s work for 40 minutes, but sometimes I question the benefit of the frantic scribbling. If nothing else, it provides input for the analysis exercises which I always enjoy and find useful.
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