painterskeys
March 24th, 2004, 08:14 PM
Elegance by Robert Genn
The idea of elegance is important to the work of many artists. I like my work to have what
I call an "EE"--an Element of Elegance. I consciously look for opportunities for it and try to
put it in. Very often it's simply an exaggeration or an extension of an existing part or parts
of a composition. As well as giving a special attractiveness to a work, it's a useful tool for
unification and design control. It may seem a bit inconsequential to you--in my case it's a landscape--
but you can use the concept to good effect no matter what your style or genre.
...full article(includes ideas, technique and application) at: http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/nyfairs.asp
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance01_big.jpg
Location sketch from the Tonquin Valley (Jasper National Park) from last summer. Angular and uninspired.
What to do about it?
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance02_big.jpg
Thinking it out. Looking for opportunities for Elements of Elegance in a difficult and fairly complex subject.
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance03_big.jpg
Elements of elegance found in the sky in the form of activation and eye control. Slight curves in
snow pattern keep the zigzag intact but add minor interest. Interlocking gradations between
sky (large gradation) and snow. Also gradation in red effect and large gradation up the dominant
trees. Extended lines in concentric tree branches provide minor focus and curves which helps to
offset the primarily angular nature of the composition.
Final (High Tonquin):
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance04_big.jpg
The idea of elegance is important to the work of many artists. I like my work to have what
I call an "EE"--an Element of Elegance. I consciously look for opportunities for it and try to
put it in. Very often it's simply an exaggeration or an extension of an existing part or parts
of a composition. As well as giving a special attractiveness to a work, it's a useful tool for
unification and design control. It may seem a bit inconsequential to you--in my case it's a landscape--
but you can use the concept to good effect no matter what your style or genre.
...full article(includes ideas, technique and application) at: http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/nyfairs.asp
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance01_big.jpg
Location sketch from the Tonquin Valley (Jasper National Park) from last summer. Angular and uninspired.
What to do about it?
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance02_big.jpg
Thinking it out. Looking for opportunities for Elements of Elegance in a difficult and fairly complex subject.
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance03_big.jpg
Elements of elegance found in the sky in the form of activation and eye control. Slight curves in
snow pattern keep the zigzag intact but add minor interest. Interlocking gradations between
sky (large gradation) and snow. Also gradation in red effect and large gradation up the dominant
trees. Extended lines in concentric tree branches provide minor focus and curves which helps to
offset the primarily angular nature of the composition.
Final (High Tonquin):
http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/rg_elegance04_big.jpg