Good Decisions - Good Drawing
Paul Cézanne
(French, 1839-1906)
Paul Cézanne was a 19th-century French Post-Impressionist painter known as the "father of modern art" for his work that bridged Impressionism and Cubism. His signature style used planes of color and repetitive, constructive brushstrokes to build up complex fields and capture the underlying structure of his subjects. He is celebrated for his landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, and he significantly influenced later artists like Picasso and Matisse.
1) Good Decisions
Our drawing begins before we start drawing.
- We consciously choose what we are going to draw. This will inherently force us to leave things out as well.
- We decide if the image is horizontal or vertical.
- We make sure we are interested in what we are going to draw.
- If you could execute one thing well, what would it be?
- What is one compositional thing you notice?
2) Good Drawing
- Lay out your drawing on the page, making sure the rhythm is what you want.
- Execute the drawing. THE MOST TIME IS SPENT HERE.
- Redraw your drawing over and over improving your spacing, mark making, value structure.
3) Stop and Decide (again)
- Draw until you achieve your goals in part 1.
- Stop! Never draw without aim. Your drawing will become wandering. (This might be calming but it is not great for your art)
- If your drawing is what you want, STOP!
- If it is not, keep working towards your goal. If your goal is achieved, you should move on to a new drawing.
Paul Cézanne, Still Life with Compotier, c. 1879-82
Even an "unfinished" work can achieve the artist's goals.
A "Finished" Work
Paul Cézanne, Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses, c. 1890