Exercise 1
Quick Sketches Around the House
I sketched the corners of the rooms of the house for ideas. My house is so small that I couldn’t do four sketches per room without an overlap! I found it hard to get inspiration for a pleasing drawing as I find the clutter of random objects that fill my small home unappealing! I think I prefer to be out doors. My bathroom is sparse and quite empty of objects though and I found I was drawn to the graphic, mathematical arrangement of the tiling. With the window cracked open you can see a slither of the world outside. The contrast of a stark angled room and the hint of the big world (trees, plants, houses, sky fences) outside appealed to me.
Exercise 2 Composition and Exercise 3 Material Differences
I decided to use the paper in portrait format as this suited the drawing of the tiles better and focused the eye onto the open window. I used grey paper as the grey lent itself to the décor of the bathroom and meant I could use colour to accent the tiles and lighting on them – but I wouldn’t then have to draw in every tile’s interior
Tonal contrasts were quite apparent between the interior and the slice of the world outside. I had to work on where the light and shade were hitting on the tiles, taps, bath, soap dish and sink.
I worked in the bathroom – taking all my materials up there. I have found that guessing the subject once I’m away from it doesn’t work.
I used pastel sticks for the soft marks showing texture and light/shade on the tiles. Heavy white pastel for the bath and sink. Felt pen to mark out the (man made) squares for the tiles. Pencils for the outside view
I think the resulting image is ok but rather cartoony and child-like. I need to work out how I can make it look a bit more technically competent.
Sue's Blog 