Check and log

Looking back over the last few exercises I found various techniques useful to create a sense of distance and form in my sketches. 


Until recently I had always looked at drawing/painting and photography in very different ways but now I can see at least one aspect which is similar in the focus and depth. A camera allows a setting to focus on a particular part of the frame giving clarity to the item selected. When drawing or painting, the same principal can be used to give depth to any picture the only difference being the focus would be in the foreground. This foreground needs to be the clearest part of the frame, the middle with not so much detail and the background should show very little detail and a more foggy appearance. The colours are also a helpful tool to show depth. The foreground being bright and rich in colour giving the appearance of clarity, drifting towards the background with a lighter, greyer more pastel shade of blur. This principal can make the eye transfix to the artists selected piece of the frame. 


All preliminary work is useful and should be done before a larger piece of work is attempted. Using a small sketch I discovered that various watercolour pencils from the same tin worked in different ways. Some gave way to the water very easily others kept the line and the pigment needed harder brushwork to move the colour. Without this preliminary work a large amount of time and effort could have been wasted on a large scale drawing. 


It is preferable to simplify most views focusing and giving attention to a single or a selected number of items in the frame. An artistic interpretation gives way to select a part or to remove undesirable pieces from the finished work.