Sunday 20 November 2016

Two-Layer Geometric Sketch

St Peter's For Bob
Two-Layer Geometric Sketch
Watercolour On Paper
26cm x 18cm (10" x 7")

The two-layer geometric sketch is the second “exercise” in Watercolor Painting by Tom Hoffmann. It is another study that helps to reveal how much detail is needed in a painting. The five-value monochrome study explored the importance of tone. The two-layer geometric sketch introduces colour in a simplified form, so we can evaluate where more detail is needed.

The instructions for the exercise are to simplify each of the major shapes into a basic geometric form and assign it a colour. Paint each shape with a simple wash representing its lightest value and add a second layer where needed - primarily to indicate shadows.

Tom suggests using a limited palette of 3 colours – a red, a yellow and a blue. You can mix them, to create a green or purple, but if they don’t make a good green or a good purple, too bad. The intention is to ignore details and to treat colour simply. The result is supposed to look like a collage made from coloured paper.

I used the same subject as for the five-value monochrome study. Once again I failed to simplify things as much as Tom suggested - I did not reduce the subject to simple geometric shapes because the drawing is one of the challenges I’m trying to sort out.

The exercise helped to clarify some problems in the composition, but it also reassured me that my objectives for the painting are possible. I want the church and memorial to appear imposing, but the overall atmosphere to be positive and full of light.

I can see the background buildings and the church porch do not require much detail, but the foliage, even in the background, will need more texture. The church and the monument needed to be taller and darker.

My next steps are to finalise the drawing and use some thumbnail sketches to explore options for colours.

Sunday 6 November 2016

October 2016 Sketches

Cod & Lobster, Staithes
16 October 2016
Ink and Watercolour
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook
20.3cm x 14.0cm (8.0" x 5.5")

Elaine and I spent a weekend in Staithes as part of Elaine’s extended birthday celebrations. Staithes was full of artists with easels painting every vista. On the Sunday morning, I couldn’t find a quiet place to sketch, but a heavy rain shower drove most people away. When the sun came out I had my choice of subject. I picked the Cod & Lobster because of their magnificently overfilled crab sandwiches.

In October, I participated in the InkTober challenge to draw (in ink) on every day of the month. I didn’t quite make it, but it’s a long time since I’ve had the pick of 27 sketches for a blog post.

COLLECT
3 October 2016
Ink
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook
14.0cm x 20.3cm (5.5" x 8.0")

There was a prompt for each day of the month - which I didn’t always use. The prompt for the third was COLLECT. I’ve never been much of a collector - I collected stamps for about a week as a child and that’s probably about it, but since starting painting I’ve built up a massive collection of brushes - this is a very small part of the collection.

LITTLE
21 October 2016
Ink and Watercolour
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook
20.3cm x 14.0cm (8.0" x 5.5")

I couldn’t resist adding some colour to the iPod. I thought I’d worked out the route through the tangle of wire from the iPod to the headphones, but there are some disconnects - if you want to look for them.

SLOWly Infusing Sloe Gin
23 October 2016
Ink and Watercolour
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook
14.0cm x 20.3cm (5.5" x 8.0")

Kilner jars are one my favourite challenging subjects. There are multiple ellipses and the complicated clasp. This is sloe gin that Elaine has been preparing since 15 June.

I Only Wanted My Lunch
27 October 2016
Ink
Stillman & Birn Alpha Series Sketchbook
14.0cm x 20.3cm (5.5" x 8.0")

The can opener gave up the ghost instead of opening a can of soup for my lunch, at least I got a sketch out of it.

You can find all my InkTober 2016 sketches here https://www.flickr.com/photos/125850908@N07/albums/72157676208277075.