Looking at Painting Tip
Just for fun, next time you look at a painting try to find something that the artist did purposely to grab your attention. Look for lost edges.
In keeping with my “Value Study November”, I thought I’d post one of my daily drawings that illustrates a simple artist’s composition device: losing edges.
About the Candlestick
This is a Swedish candlestick that was given to me by my younger sister. She was an exchange student to Sweden around 1980.
I imagine that at one time I had a candle that fit this candlestick, but it is long gone. I still like to draw it though. I think its the round shapes. Something wonderfully simple and elegant about Scandinavian design. Plus, sentimental value.
Composition Device: Tie Figure To Ground By Losing Edges
I thought of this drawing as a nice follow on to the previous post about figure and ground relationships. I purposely merged the right portion of the subject to a dark shape in the ground. I forced myself to lose edges.
Purposely is the right word choice because I have a tendency to want to outline everything and add detail.
But its not necessary to draw every edge and add lots of detail. The viewers mind naturally fills the blank.
As I was drawing, I started adding the dark shape to the background. I still wanted to create a boundary. I’d find myself cross hatching over the boundary to obliterate it.
I did achieve some areas where there are no outlines. See if you can find them. In doing so, your eye flows easily around the drawing; from figure to ground and back again.
Tip Re-Stated
So, now you know. Just for fun, next time you look at a painting, try to find something that the artist did purposely to grab your attention. Look for edges or outlines that are lost. Notice that your eye fills in the blank. Aren’t the visual arts exciting?
As I did here, artists compose to make the image more compelling.
In my case here, by losing edges and fading the candlestick to dark, I gave the subject a little mystery.
PS.
To my painter friends, what kind of edges do you like to use?
Thanks! Happy Friday!