Aim
I perceive the aim to be to discover how you can take an element from a subject abd use it in drawing as a starting point, as a source to incorporate in drawing without being limited by the observed subject.
Methods & Reflection
I have chosen to observe my living room sofa and surrounding. As the light enters from the window some interesting patterns are created although at a first observation the area does not seem very promising in terms of composition.
I have started with a descriptive drawing of the area, trying to fit the extended view in my A3 paper and work it in terms of composition and tone. I noticed some interesting shapes created by the light entering the striped curtain as it reflects on the sofa and the pillows om it. Also the pillows alone create some interesting compositions as they overlap each other.
I continued with the same subject aiming to include the whole sofa and the surrounding area in less paper space. I wasn’t able to include everything I wanted as I should add more perspective and foreshortening. Therefore I continued with another drawing in which I managed to to adjust the size of the objects to my paper size.
On another day I explored my subject further, this time focusing on the lines created by the curtain shadows on the sofa and included some of the pillows as secondary elements this time working more abstract on the tones and shapes.
I proceed to another composition of the subject working mainly on the shapes/patterns that are created on one pillow only and I worked more tonally, just investigating the tones and how they create the mass of the pillow.
Going further in close up I used the photos I took at the beginning of the project, to make a new composition of my subject. I draw a ”copy” of the photo composition exploring the tones and shapes without details.
I continued with an even more close up this time focusing on the patterned pillow. I included the patterns of the pillow and also I incorporated the lines of the curtain shadow on the sofa and the pillow.
This composition is quite flat so I move on more experimentally in a more ”design” abstract composition.
I put in a rectangle a detail of the pillow and then continued outwards to make a complete drawing of using only the pillow patterns and a general depiction of tone. I worked this drawing more independently from the original subject and I aimed to use only those few elements to make a drawing that stands on its own as a composition without much reference to the original subject.
Up to this point I remained to the use of one same medium (charcoal obviously) for all my drawings. I did so in order to focus on exploring composition without distracted by other elements such as mixed media or adding colour.
however a few days later I continued the composition experimentation by adding more media and methods.
For the above drawing I used a black and white exposure of my photographs of the subject, from which I extended the lines and shapes creating a new composition. I used also marker and fibre pens.
A few more experimental drawings I really enjoyed making.
Investigating Drawing OCA 