Rhythms of Light
10.5"x18"
Ballpoint Pen on Paper
(it's a commission that's already been sent off, but I'd still love feedback for future drawings)
Here are sketches I came up with for an oak tree commission, but I also am interested in this subject as a direction for my work, so I'd love any and all constructive criticism:
tree sketch #1
5.5"x6"
ballpoint on vellum
tree sketch #2
5"x6"
ballpoint on vellum
tree sketch #3
5"x6"
ballpoint on vellum
(this is the style he wants for his piece)
tree sketch #4
5"x6"
ballpoint on vellum
WOW!!! Holy fuck colleen, those look great! They're such an interesting progression from your thesis work. I LOVE them!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, i've actually been doing a ton of work just in ballpoint pen lately (as inspired by your work during div iii) and I love it. Working in pen has become such a fun and challenging process for me, it's real cool.
Anyways, although i think all of the drawings are superb, I think i'm a bit more drawn to the first and second one. I feel like they have a bit more of a prevalent and activated background or environment in which the trees inhabit. My ballpoint pen series is solely of skulls and they're only on the little receipt books we use in my shop and it's really challenged me for each one to think about ways to depart and expand from each one that came before. The main thing I keep coming back to (which is what i draws me to your first two drawings) is the importance and relevance of the environment in which i place the main subject (particularly in a piece in which there is really just one main object). Maybe this is just a first impression of a quick glimpse on those drawings you just posted, but I REALLY like how connected the trees seem with the lighting and environment in those first two. Maybe it's also just all the more striking since your div iii dealt primarily with atmosphere and solely environment and these are almost strictly focused on the object.
Anyways, those are my initial thoughts, at least. I'll post some stuff soon, but i do have a couple drawings and stuff up on my shop website in the meantime (www.witchcityink.com) if you want to take a look.
Hope all is well down in austin!
_micah
I agree with micah, I am really drawn to the first two. I love the perpective in the second drawing. The perspective-looking up- relates to the skyscapes but offer opposite emotion. I feel proctected by the entangled branches, like a web or netting that keeps us grounded. Compared to the skyscape which is open and endless and like a morphous vortex, pulling you in and out. It's interesting to see them side by side.
ReplyDeleteThe skyskape in itself has evoled beautifully! It has developed a depth, really beautiful, hypnotic! How are you hanging these? I think that some sort of suspension would really enhance these images.
There is something artifical about the light in the tree 2,3 and 4-like a flashlight is 'exposing' the trees. And I want to know where is that light coming from??? Who's there?? Your process is so organic and I think that is lost with such an inorganic light pervading the scene. That being said, they are very beautiful. Maybe this is something that you should explore further-Where is the light coming from? What can you suggest by manipulating the light source? narrative?
Going along with Micah and Amber- I was going to say, if you'll still give me a drawing, I want a print of tree sketch #1. I love the image and composition. I really relate to it because it makes me feel like I'm lying on the ground in the forest, looking up at the leaves and sky. I like how the light interacting with the leaves and branches creates an illusion of the starry night sky, just like your images of the universe.
ReplyDeleteThere is something almost a little postcardy about it. I could see that photo of trees on a postcard at a National Park. I wonder how it would look if you enhanced the drama of the image. I'd be curious to see the light intensified as well as more movement in the trees.
Tree # 2 looks like its emitting a crazy energy. I think the trees work really well on vellum.
ReplyDelete