Friday, April 09, 2010

Pebble study



Newfoundland is full of rocks.  It *is* one big rock sitting in the Atlantic Ocean.  So its not surprising that I have an affinity for rocks, stones and pebbles of all kinds.

Last night I played around with a bucket full of rocks, creating little towers, mini Inukshuks and arranged and rearranged the shapes, sizes, colours and lighting until I found something that pleased me.  


This is about 60% complete of a little study for a larger piece, perhaps in charcoal.  I like to get a feel for the work before I tackle something large.  I want to make sure that it will be exciting enough to inspire me to keep going until completion.

Often the simplest shapes are the most difficult to render in graphite.  Smooth stones with tiny pits and subtle gradation of colour always seem more challenging to draw well.  The lines of granite through the charcoal grey stone on top always fascinate me.  There are a couple of fine lines in the middle stone and the striped layers evident in the stone resting on the table.

I'll do a bit more on this study, then plan for a full size piece.  Maybe tomorrow I'll visit the beach and find some new models...

4 comments:

Making A Mark said...

I do like this very much Jeanette. In fact I like anything, like your fish prints, which says you're drawing the place where you live - in a different sort of way

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Katherine. Connections to the land and sea always appeal to me.

Paulette said...

Lovely!
I swear I see a mountain goat in the stone you drew.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Now that you mention it Paulette, yes, you could be right!