The big rock
Posted: December 28, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized 16 CommentsI’ve sketched and painted this big rock three times since I arrived in Costa Rica (I’ll post the paintings when I get home and can scan them) and I’ve realized a few things about using it as a subject. 1: I always need to add a few people to give it scale. 2: It’s so big that it’s really hard not to have it in the middle of the page. That’s difficult for me since I often compose using the rule of thirds. Fortunately there’s so much going on in the rock itself that it’s not just a dark shape in the centre of the page.
Hi Shari. Even though the rock might be central in terms of measurement it doesn’t read that way at all. To my eye, the way you’ve balanced the ‘extra ‘ rocks on the right with the people on the left (together with the greens on either side) makes it read perfectly. As others have intimated before me, you are The Rock Queen! Best wishes for 2015. Tony
Its always great to hear from you Tony. Were your ears burning today? Isabel and I were talking about you. I hope you have a happy and healthy new year and maybe we’ll sketch together again in 2015!
Too cold (by UK standards that is) for anything to be burning at present! So glad to hear that you and Isabel got to sketch together and enjoyed your sketch and post on the day. Happy New Year.
Happy new year to you too Tony!
While I agree that it is a big rock (which I can see by the size of the people), I have to question your statement that “It’s so big that it’s really hard not to have it in the middle of the page”… really? You couldn’t draw it a bit smaller and to one side of the sheet… or get a bigger sheet of paper? It is lucky that the rock isn’t any bigger or it just wouldn’t fit on the paper at all? : )
I suppose i could have drawn it smaller but i always draw everything too big. I can’t help it. Just comes out that way.
Lovely painting. What brand sketchbook are you using? And size.
Betty, this is a Handbook journal and the size is 8 x 8.
Shari,
How fun to be in Costa Rica this time of year. I am sure you are enjoying the warm weather. I think this is lovely. The shape and the details of the rocks off set the centrality of the composition. There is enough going on to create some asymmetry to it.
Its great to hear from you Gail. Ans yes, its wonderful to have this much time here. A real luxury! Happy holidays!
stunning art!
Thanks!
This must be on the Pacific side. My own Costa Rica album on Flickr is at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sketchrboy/sets/72157626221807373/ Not trying to intrude. Just sharing our wonderful time there a few years back. Stay as long as you can, friend.
Yes, I am on the Pacific side Lee. And you are not intruding. I looked quickly at the Flickr album but it’s hard to see on my phone. I will have a beetter look when I get back to my big screen. I know I will love reading all your notes which I definitely can’t do on the phone.
Hello Shari,
Recently come across your artwork… In Wellington, New Zealand. We have just purchased a large canvas of a mysterious ‘rock’ that was just captivating. A quick Google showed it was yours! This rock to be precise! It’s amazing how easy it is to research these days and I’m delighted with my new art and to learn where the inspiration was taken from.
Hi Dawn,
It’s amazing that you managed to track me down. Google never lets us down, right? I would love to see what it looks like on canvas.
Would it be possible to send me a photo at info@shariblaukopf.com
I have never seen the canvas version of this.
Many thanks.
Shari