Thumbnail sketches

(C) 2016 Dale DiMauro

Before I took a little summer break, in part from the heat, my art mentor Gerard Doucette, urged me to develop a strong compositional approach. Not that prior paintings were weak, but early in the process emphasizing the value of quick ten-minute sketches. These are value studies where an artist determines what is important as well as what to prioritize. As such, the focal point of a picture is presented with clarity as well as how best to position it on the paper.  In some cases the focal point is best in the center of the piece but in others off to the side is stronger. Any unnecessary elements are discarded as they simply clutter the overall painting. Details are not a consideration at this stage.

These sketches above are compositional studies Gerard did with me regarding a picture I have been thinking a lot about lately. Annually, we have a local ski jump in my town and the man depicted is a fellow marker who helps determine where a skier lands on the hill. 

First of all, I like that the viewer is looking up at the individual, which conveys a sort of reverence for the man doing his job. Second, since the painting will be orientated vertically it strengthens his position on the paper as he stands upright. Since he occupies the right side of the paper, we have shifted the mass of evergreens from the upper right corner to the upper left which balances out the composition.

These are simply some thoughts I put out there in an effort to strengthen my painting process, hopefully resulting in better paintings. Perhaps you can draw from this or at least look at my watercolors with a broader perspective.