See The Faces ... Take In Their Expressions ... They All Tell A Story!

You can't do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh ... John Singer Sargent!

I agree with him completely folks. I need to go to the clinic on a fairly regular basis for them to draw blood so that they can monitor the viscosity because of the heart condition I have. It usually takes a couple of hours to get it done, so while I am waiting, I sketch as many people as I can. My aim is to try and capture their expressions and posture that tell a story of their own. I am thinking of doing some paintings incorporating these sketches.

A painting is basically a pattern of shapes and colors. Some are called positive shapes and some negative shapes. For instance, in drawing a person, the person would be considered a positive shape. The spaces around the person are considered negative shapes. This might seem unimportant, however, these negative shapes, far from being regarded as neutral territory, or left over gaps in the pattern, they are vital components in the overall design within each section of the picture. They are used to enhance the action and character of the very images, whose contours have defined them.

As an example, when you look at these sketches I have done, they are surrounded by notice boards and windows and seating, and other people, and these shapes which connect them, give context and meaning to what would otherwise be a somewhat boring portrait. This then also enables the viewer to engage with the sketch in a meaningful way.

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