Twilight, a time to work fast

As the clocks go back, the weather worsens, and the dark nights draw in, there is time in this post to reflect on the last few mild sunny evenings that we've enjoyed here in North Somerset and Bristol. I have been spending time on these sunny evenings on a farm track near Long Ashton, drawing the sun setting over a small village nearby called Yanley.

'Oak Tree near Yanley' Somerset   22-9-13   42cm x 59cm   From A Somerset Sketchbook

During twilight the light diminishes quickly and one must, in turn, work quickly to keep up. This can be a very productive time of the day provided you are prepared to quicken the drawing pace. Drawing more quickly than one is used to presents obvious challenges as it removes an artist from their comfort zone. Unfamiliar techniques need to be deployed and adapted to, and decisions need to be made quickly and accurately. As a drawing exercise, deliberately speeding the decision making process up is well understood to help develop and hone these decision making skills, therefore improving and adding to ones practice as an artist. 

'Track To Ashton Brook With Sunset' Somerset 6-10-13  30cm x 84cm   From A Panoramic Sketchbook

In addition to helping develop important drawing skills, working at this time of day also presents a wonderful opportunity to incorporate strong contrasts between light and dark; as seen above in Track To Ashton Brook With Sunset, taken from A Panoramic Sketchbook. In Sun Setting Through Trees (below), a 'looser', perhaps more fluent 'look' has been achieved simply through drawing more quickly. 

'Sun Setting Through Trees'  Somerset  19-10-13   30cm x 84cm   From A Panoramic Sketchbook

If you like these drawings, and enjoy reading Quille Pictures blog posts then why not tell a friend about it? Just send them the link via email!

You might also want to let them know that my forthcoming solo exhibition: LandEscapes, will be on at Centrespace Bristol from 6th - 18th December. http://www.centrespacegallery.com/exhibitions/

In my next post I will be looking at what vistors to LandEscapes might be able to expect, so stay tuned for some exclusive peaks at drawings destined for the December exhibition. Exciting!!