Apr 20, 2023

Composition: How Shape & Patterns Set up Your Art Work - Painting & Drawing Tips

Did you watch the Master’s? 

ROCKY SHORES OF HICKS LAKE - Ink drawing on Wood $750

Have you seen the awesome way they track the drives on the screen.  Let’s face it, those pros hit so hard and far it is nearly impossible to follow the ball on the screen.  But really you don’t have to anymore.  Their app takes over and show you the arc, distance and line the golf ball follows. 

Maybe this is good for watching golfing on TV . . .

 but your Art Work needs a different mode of attack. . . .

 Your viewers want to jump in and look at your work.  Some start at the left side and move across others jump to the middle and move out.  If you want to keep their attention you need take control.  Unfortunately, there is no app for that.

 Shape & Patterns can HELP  . . . 

To do that look at the abstract piece from my sketchbook.  It really brought the idea home for me. 

JUG WITH TULIPS - Sketchbook Activity


There is a flow created by the shapes and patterns.  Coming in from the left side causes the eye to follow the sloping diagonal going from the top left to the bottom right.  This should take your eye out of the picture.

But it doesn’t. . . 

There is an eye stopper on the right, the dark blue shape.  It grabs your eye shoots it up to the pink and yellow pattern area.  From there the eye dances around the tulips, hits the zigzag line and moves back to the left.  The circular route starts again.  Notice whether your eye comes in from the bottom or the right, it picks up the same path. 

I know that colour  and value is also playing an important role, and I don’t want to discount that.  But instead, I am focusing on what shape and pattern can contribute to the game. 

JUG WITH TULIPS - converted to grayscale

Check out the picture in black and white. 
The movement is still there. 

JUG WITH TULIPS - some of the pattern replaced with solid blocks of value

Here I removed some of the key pattern areas and replaced them with solid shapes.  Most of the movement is still there but you can feel that the it is not the same.  The eye seems to dance across those pattern sections and at the same time enjoy the movement.  With the pattern gone the eye just whizzes' by and I think even become a little bored.  What do you think?  

**As a secondary note, can you feel the tension caused by the two focal points?  The box shape and the flower pot.  The eye wants to dart back and forth between them but the strong movement from shapes and patterns keeps it moving in the circle. 

Rocky Shores of Hicks Lake - Eye Movement

When you look at my drawing ‘Rocky Shores of Hicks Lake’, can you see how the pattern and shapes catch you in a circle.  If your eye enters from the left (most North Americans read a picture from left to right), it is grabbed and moved to the right.  The dark, mixed shapes of the rocks move your eye up.  This should send your eye up and out but it doesn’t get a chance.  The light airy patterns created by the leaves of the bush and the soft grain of the wood capture the attention.  As the eye wonders through this area, the darker shapes draw it down and back to light rocks in the front.  The circle begins again. (Notice how those few little leaves on the left, block your exit and keep you moving along.)  

Sketchbook Study of Rocky Shores of Hicks Lake

I found this a very interesting phenomenon.  When I saw the rocks and bushes paired together by the shoreline of the lake I was drawn to them.  I photographed them and did a sketch of them.  I found the sketch very powerful. It seemed to grab my eye and demand that I look.  And keep looking.  I kept telling myself it was just some rocks and a bush.  The idea stayed with me so this winter I started working on the drawing. 

Awesome Opportunity - 2 Artist Retreats in the Shuswap

June 23-26 or September 15-18, 2023

Join me for 4 DAYS of Outdoor Sketching, nature walks, deck and beach time, creative conversations, gourmet meals and simply relaxing 

Your Hosts, Joanne Denis and Myself.   Cost: $450 single room or $300 shared room
Art instruction, transportation (from Lower Mainland), meals and lodging included (Bring your own art supplies.  Space is limited to 8-10 attendees, Register Early 

Outdoor Sketching Classes - Dates are HERE!!

Outdoor Sketching Classes

Thursday, June 29, 10-12:30pm;  July 6 & 27, 10-12:30pm
  August 3 & 10, 10-12:30pm 

Experience the Joy of Sketching in Nature with Wendy
2.5 hr classes; located in Surrey Parks;  Beginner to Advanced Welcome. 
Class Size: Max 3  $55 per session
 

Available for booking special outings for you and 1-2 of your friends. 
Gift Certificates Available.


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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy




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