Today’s challenge takes me to the Pont du Gard, exploring the rhythm of its arches and how much detail is needed to describe the structure. I enjoy this one enough to keep going after the first drawing. The initial critique highlights uneven connections between the tiers, scattered stone texture and some rather angular reflections, so I make a smaller study to concentrate on the supports and use broader, connected washes. That helps, although a shadow beneath the ledge becomes so assertive that it starts looking like a ski ramp. I initially read it as a change of stone; understanding what I am actually looking at makes a difference. The suggestion is one more small study of a single arch, but I cannot help myself and draw the whole scene again. Using my Sailor Pro Gear HEF with Lotte ink and a limited watercolour palette, I bring more warmth into the stone, simplify the river and let the distant arches become quieter.
The final version receives 7.5/10 from the Reasonable Tyrant, compared with 7/10 for the first.
There is still work to do on the supports and the hard-edged blue patches within the openings, but I can see the benefit of acting on the critique while the drawing is fresh in my mind. I tend to finish hoping to hear that it is fantastic, then get reminded of everything I can improve. Today, though, I am pleased with both the drawing and the process. Understand → Select → Suggest—and perhaps pause occasionally before drawing another entire aqueduct.
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