Tea and Doodles

It has taken me to select photos and sketches to work on this exercise, for me to let go of my previous composition for now. It was a more made-up impromptu landscape, which hasn’t allowed for in-depth study yet. Whilst studying this section, I did watch the BBC’s This Green and Pleasant Land: The Story of Landscape  Painting. It was certainly offered some much needed motivation and inspiration. I am not entirely happy with the lenticular cloud, but I decided to stop working it. I’m also not so happy with the shape of the tree on the right. New version: Reflection

Having been a meteorologist in a previous working life, I was looking forward to this exercise. I have always loved watching clouds form and seeing the shadows they cast on each other as well as on the ground. However, this is an exercise I feel I need to come back to as I have been too formal in the drawing of the cloud formation and my drawings seem flat. More practice and observation here, possibly on a close-up scale rather than within a landscape. The following three sketches are further developing cloud study, but more of a detailed look at a particular cloud formation. White ink on black paper Chalk pastel on blue paper  Eraser on black pastel in art book (no tooth)

This assignment is designed to pull together the fine observation and practice that you’ve done on this part of the course.  You’re free to choose your own source material and media, provided that you take account of the factors listed below. You can either work on a still life,  or interior scene – or a combination of these.  In the work you produce now you must demonstrate a growing understanding of: the use of colour in drawing the most appropriate medium for the subject composition and context mark-making and contrasts of line and tone accurate and expressive depiction of form,  experimentation with idea, material and method. Is this a creative composition?  Is my subject interesting?  Am I using the most appropriate medium, colour, method, etc.? In my previous posts  here   and   here I have shown my sketching and preparation for this assignment. I enjoy perspect...

I have had no shortage of places to draw in the house. I had in mind I would draw my art 'room' at the top of the house as it is my bolt hole and a place to relax that nobody else visits. I found some beautiful light play and reflection at different times of the day and I was excited that this could make a  good composition and assignment.   However, s ometimes things can be overworked and I may have been forcing this line of investigation too far as I was losing the sanctuary and peaceful feeling of the room. Plus it was getting too hot to continue working up there. I then found another area of the house at a certain time of day that invokes all sorts of feelings that I wanted to capture in a drawing - or at least see if I could.  I was locking up the house at bedtime and switching off the lights when I came across this view: It is very peaceful, but almost eerie. Not a soul except me awake. The landing light being left on to guide me upstairs. Shadows and refl...

I have had no shortage of places to draw in the house. I had in mind I would draw my art 'room' at the top of the house as it is my bolt hole and a place to relax that nobody else visits. I found some beautiful light play and reflection at different times of the day and I was excited that this could make a  good composition and assignment.   However, s ometimes things can be overworked and I may have been forcing this line of investigation too far as I was losing the sanctuary and peaceful feeling of the room. Plus it was getting too hot to continue working up there. I then found another area of the house at a certain time of day that invokes all sorts of feelings that I wanted to capture in a drawing - or at least see if I could.  I was locking up the house at bedtime and switching off the lights when I came across this view: It is very peaceful, but almost eerie. Not a soul except me awake. The landing l...