Joe “The Artist” Paints & Sketches

When I sketch, I look at the photo (or the plein-air situation) and try to compose the picture (divide the paper into interesting shapes that tie together to give the emotions and feelings.)  This photo (non-digital and quite old - the clothes tell us that) I found among some folders in our Connestee Art Library.  It told a story that one does not see too often.

 Fig. 1 - The Photo

It’s a nice photo, but it’s too busy: too many competing happenings: while the man on the left (background) appears to be listening, the mother and daughter are not in the action.  The couple on the right are “just passing through” and contribute nothing to a good composition.  The bench is too busy with all those slats.  The shadows are good, but for the painting not the sketch.

 So, when in doubt, sketch each one separately, and then place them where you want them to be. Here they are individually, and then as I arranged them on the wall.  Also notice how few bricks I sketch - it says “brick wall” without each and every brick.

 Fig. 2a - Clarinet

 Fig 2b. Trumpet

Fig 2c. Banjo

Fig 3.  Composition

- put together quickly with Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2.0

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