I’m really trying to build on what I’m learning and really soaking up all the time. I want to use my lounge for this exercise. I live in a fairly modern style house and inside it’s always neat and tidy. The place I make the mess is the outside studio. I’m always mindful of the artists I admire, and the interior can also be a solitary space. Hopper has made me very conscious of this so as I begin the exercise, I am mindful that this is also my private space. Below are a couple of photos of the lounge area. I’ve taken these at different times when undertaking similar exercises.
Having decided upon the lounge I begin my thumbnail sketches. I’m using an A5 size sketchbook. I try to draw quickly as I’m usually more accurate. I’m going to use charcoal again as I’m really enjoying it’s properties and what I can do with it despite it being very messy to work with. I’ve not really worked much in charcoal, so I reacquaint myself before I begin, with one or two drawings by Hopper. I include these below. What is immediately noticeable is that his work is on a toned paper which I think adds to the atmosphere.
In the drawing above he’s used lots of dark charcoal colouring densly the curtains and window frame. The picture is given dark shadow to illustrate how it stands outTyoical of his style the light is coming through the window onto the wall underneath the picture and it also falls on the womans right shoulder and slightly across her body. It’s not on her face which he does often highlight. The dark area on the left gives us a feeling of recession or a doorway maybe. I notice her face is outlined and left a little lighter. In the next drawing which he did for Nighthawks the windows are light and contrast with the dark of the exterior of the building. The pavement reflects the light from within the building. The figures on the right are conversing in their close pose and the solitary figure at the bar has some light on his shoulders. Just brilliant!
As I come down to earth I will try to remember some of his principles. As the sketches are small and the charcoal is messy, I have only taken final photos. Before I begin i have a range of charcoal sticks to hand plus some charcoal pencils ready sharpened. The first image is below. I work quickly and bear down harder on my charcoal in the main areas such as the leaves in the pot and my door frame and handles. I put one of my pots in from outdoors with its acer tree and my funny shaped stool. I’m reporting here not just about the inside corner of my room but the large window and an opportunity to look outwards. However, capturing what’s there outside is a little trickier. I work quickly for accuracy. I work this in my lounge mainly and refine a little in the studio. I love the large peace lily and I think the curtains are reasonable with their folds.
I quite like the second sketch below despite some lines being wonky. The chair on the left looks as though its tipping forward a little. I like the lamp and the cushions but the sofa arms are not defined enough as there isn’t any distinction between the arms and the seats. This is the other area of my spacious, very tidy room. Its also about the view again. The window looks out onto a balancing pond with a large oak and several willow trees. I love to look out and I guess I want to include a solitary figure looking out. The open door and the blackened opening could also be a bit intriguing. What lies next door maybe?
This third thumbnail is of the table, tv with cabinet. This is opposite the sofa area. I’m finding it hard to work thumbnail in charcoal but will persevere. Some lines are thicker and I smudge some area. There’s always a picture in view. I guess my story here is about the entertainment.
I quite like this drawing with the sofa partly in view. As already mentioned I would want to put someone in the window looking out or in maybe. I like the shape in the curtains and the sofa is okay. There needs to be more ground in the outside area as the pot looks as if in mid-air. I think there could be the solitary figure in the chair.
The exercise is also about making decisions. Choices about composition and the selection for the larger work. I decide at this stage that I will use the larger window view above. I chose this mainly to include my figure. The Hopper effect on me is quite evident, and uppermost in my thoughts. I will also try to tone the paper.
My Final Drawing
I decide upon an A2 size watercolour paper and I do tone it with a light mixed wash of yellow ochre and a mid-brown to give it a sepia feel. I begin my drawing and decide to use a ruler for the windows as they do need to be quite accurate. I’m using a combination of hard and soft charcoal pencils. I use these for most of the outlines and some shading.
My sketch begins as below, and I use a combination of my photos and drawings for reference. I sketch in the frame, the two sofas and I put the figure in to mainly test for scale. I then continue to build on my drawing in all areas. I am aware that by utilising the figure I am creating a focal point as the viewer is drawn to the figure. However the sofa that is deliberately close and up front in the foreground also forces us to look at its detail.
I put in the picture frame on the wall, start to build up some definition in the curtains and I add in the cabinet and build up my leaf shapes. So far so good and I put in a little shading on the right-hand sofa.
As the charcoal is so messy it’s difficult to keep stopping and cleaning up to take a photo. I keep working at the drawing in all areas. Once I am happy with the overall drawing, I remind myself about what I’m trying to achieve. The lone isolated figure and more atmosphere. I decide once I’ve worked at the sofas and their definition, I decide similarly to Hopper to go darker with my walls and to create a pathway of light as it would stream in from the window. I also decide on creating light around my vase of flowers. This light could be coming from somewhere else to the right side. Hopper created light to great effect and I’m really beginning to appreciate what I can do with charcoal and the contrast of dark and light to create dramatic effects. My processes throughout was :
I pushed the charcoal sticks, varied my marks and often used broken lines, thick and thin, smudging with fingers. I made good use of even hatching to create the shape and form in the sofa’s. Working with the charcoal and maintaining momentum and spontaneity seems to work well for me as does being very bold with my marks. Pressing harder to create more deep dark areas and less hard for the more subtle shades. This is a great medium. My figure isn’t particularly brilliant but I am beginning to believe I can draw!
My final drawing is below.
I’ve really enjoyed this interior of my home. The drawing does depict a clean and tidy home. Everything is usually in its place. My very messy place is in my studio. The figure is just random from my head. While the figure does help draw you in as a focal point the sofas may also serve as a focus too. I do think it’s an image that makes you look further into what’s there. Going darker with the walls also works. I am reasonably pleased with my outcome and in regard to perspective I think it’s reasonable too.
Drawing 2 Interpreting the environment 