I located part of the garden that I thought would work for the frottage project I have in mind.
I sketched it roughly with the main shapes at the forefront of my mind. I labelled the plants and then (on the right) highlighted the shapes that need to be included as frottage.
I have an idea that I will start at the back and work forward layering as I go.
I like the shape indicated by the black line and the balance created by the spots of yellow plants (ignore the practice printing).
I will draw into my work to indicate flowers and other detail.
It all looks a bit messy but it makes sense to me. Just in case here's a photo to help.
I'm going to experiment with some leaves to see what would suit my purpose best.
I put a light blue wash on my sketchbook page but when I laid on the "trees" it had no impact so I deepened it.
First layer |
Second layer |
So far so good - I was getting what I wanted.
Next I moved to the willow with some heavier paper and colour and this is where things started to go wrong.
I used heuchera leaves and because the willow weeps I placed them downwards. From there it went downhill fast.
Because my wax crayons were handy I used them to put in some flowers.
It wasn't my intention to produce a piece of work but rather to try out to see what might work so I'll log what I think works and what doesn't and look for alternatives because I still think the frottage idea has mileage.
What works:
- the frottage trees give a sense of distance and the tissue and graphite allow for plenty of detail
- the darkening of the foreground is necessary (but too dark)
What needs some thought:
- the whole thing looks too busy but it's hard to know where to edit
- using colour is where I start to lose it - should I try monochrome?
- the paper I use to create my "plants"is crucial to the effect as I've found out before and the viburnum and the spirea suffer - should I try a print directly onto my carrier?
- the central flower bed needs to sing and it doesn't in this image
- the thuja needs to be more hidden
- when I think back to Facinating Cypress by Ernst I am reminded that LESS IS MORE.
- chop, chop, chop.
More experimentation needed and more to add to this post later.
Later....
I have found it impossible to edit my image and retain the integrity and interest of the viewpoint so I have looked for another perspective which offers interest and the more minimalist content I feel I need.
I have it in mind to draw the Dawn Redwood which is a particular favourite of mine - the first plant we put in our new garden 16 years ago.
For this work I need to give it a context so I went to see what surrounded it with an eye open for frottage possibilities.
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