Today’s exercise was Complete Composition, using the Parthenon in Athens. I started with a three-quarter view, concentrating on the overall composition rather than trying to describe the building in detail. The first preliminary took longer than some of the recent ones, but it was useful for working out the corner, the two receding colonnades and the main structure of the building. For the final drawing I used the Sailor Naginata Concord, with Buff Titanium, Quinacridone Sienna and Ultramarine Blue washes. The preliminary became rather overworked, particularly on the right-hand colonnade. I found myself trying to resolve the exact relationship between each column, capital and gap, and ended up adding more and more pen work. Rather than trying to rescue it, I started again.
The second attempt was much more successful. The Concord was particularly good on the heavier paper, allowing me to use a broken, uneven line without having to describe every column completely. I also allowed the wash to carry more of the architecture, particularly in the shadows beneath the entablature and between the columns. The main lesson today was probably not architectural at all: Sometimes the best way to improve a drawing is to stop correcting it and start another one.
I also think I may finally have to admit that I prefer the Concord. It seems particularly well suited to the slightly loose, character-led approach I’m trying to develop.
Score — 7.5/10
And some front on attempts too!
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