When talking to artist friends I find we always end up talking about one thing: creative process. I think this is because the core of our work is a weaving together of competing elements, an arrangement of interelated and delicate but thorny qualities.
The work of the artist is to get to know those elements, and to develop intuition for orchestrating them such that meaning results. Each time is an arduous, non-linear sequence of problems solved.
“Sleepwaters” Oil on linen, 61x122cm
Like a director, we have to consider not only our protagonists, setting and props, and our implied narrative, but also our viewpoint and lighting. And then as painters and sculptors we must consider our handling of the media and design principles which captures so much of our own feelings about the subject.
What tools can we use to bring these various aspects into harmony?
Traditionally sketches from the model or imagination, model making, drawn or colour thumbnails help to clarify ideas and retain this clarity rather than being lost in the weeds of making the painting.
"Black Candle (Between Courage and Despair)" Graphite on paper, 60x42cm
This non-linear, rough to refined process can be a rather awkard puzzle to solve - but a satisfying one as the elements start to come together.
It can be surprising how useful inititial sketches can be during the development of paintings to keep things on track… or to discover solutions
Work in progress "Perspectives"
I have been gradually adding to a large, free resource available here that clarifies my ideas about composition.
The tools and principles apply to any subject matter you might wish to approach and help to clarify how different compositions do their work on us.
For those in Brisbane, I am delivering this content with a range of exercises to help artists clarify their own direction, and use some of the tried and proven tools and skills that I use myself.
Find out more and enrol here
https://square.link/u/iC5ZNNNo
Two places remaining!
Also for those in Brisbane, I will be doing an artist talk at my current landscape painting show at Lethbridge Gallery on Thursday the 3rd of October from 6pm. I’ll be discussing the work and my approach with gallery owner Brett Lethbridge and will be availble for questions.
I will also be doin some demonstrations of compositional process drawing live in the gallery. Get you ticket here: https://events.humanitix.com/artist-talk-with-scott-breton/tickets
