USING SCALE, TONE AND PAPER TO CREATE MOOD IN AN EXPANSIVE SCENE
I want to produce a dynamic and exciting work, through the medium of drawing, that pulls the viewer into a scene and makes an emotional connection.
I have chosen to re-visit the ‘outdoors’ section of the course, as I feel that this subject has given the most opportunities to achieve this. The expanse of the outdoor environment has limitless subjects and raises so many questions about the human and natural condition. The outdoor environment also sparks my own creative thoughts and interest.
I am drawn to the churchyard theme as it tells a story full of drama. A vast sky hangs over and circles our planet. Beyond it – infinity. The huge, heavy, monumental plinth is dragged down by the gravity of revolving earth. The angel points heavenward. The statue was created by a living person, making us consider everyday human life, death, work, love, religion, material display and financial exchange. Trees and plants remind us of the living, natural earth-bound world. Trees reaching upwards draw their own life from light. So many questions.
My biggest development on the course has been my use of charcoal, pastel, tonal work and line. Charcoal/pastel can be smudged, blended, wetted, drawn on point. It can be moved a long way quickly to cover a large space. It can also be used delicately to create small detail. It can be almost white or the darkest black. It is a very versatile and expressive tool.
I had looked at the epic works of artists such as Tacita Dean and John Virtue and been inspired by their techniques and results. I will try and emulate their use of scale and tone to create drama, weight and emotion in my own piece. The use of a bigger scale is new to me and will be a test to see if this technique will help me reach my aim.
I will draw a 126cm (h) x 106cm 
piece with a limited pallet. These methods, I hope, will create impact. I hope impact will also be created from the perspective and angle the image is drawn from. I made initial studies of the image lying on the floor looking upwards. I have found this method effective in previous coursework.
I want to experiment with the ‘support’ and have chosen a woodgrain wall paper. This gives scope with the size of the piece. The woodgrain also creates a flow in the image upwards and downwards, hinting at energy lay lines between earth and sky and the relationship between. This also creates interest.
Does this test of support, scale and tone achieve its aim? I think the size of the piece does give drama and interest, as does the perspective and patterned paper. Yes, I would use these techniques again. My technical skills still need to grow with tonal work. A more sensitive use of the drawing mediums could only improve the desired effect. I hope this will develop going forwards. I would also look at cropping and composition to improve the work.
I may have been over ambitious with this piece, but risks have been taken and experiments made.
Charcoal, soft pastel, 4B pencil, oil pastel on wallpaper 126cm (h) x 106cm
Sue's Blog 