Dear Linked In 23 02 10
Today's illustrated diary
Dear Linked In,
Whenever I finish a piece or a painting it’s time to photograph it. Not only for my website and socials, but ultimately, for posterity.
It was most convenient to shoot these works either in our salon at home or here in the comfort of the atelier. You really become sensitive to light in these situations. I began to notice the slight perturbations in illumination do to diffuse shadows cast by the sun filtered through the clouds. More starkly of course on a sunny day, with a hard edge of brightness creeping across the frame.
The atelier has high windows and a southern exposure which is great for working. The wall dividing the windows however, and the various affects and furniture make for a entropic jangle of richocheting photons.
As everyone knows, the sun is not only the best disinfectant but also the best source of lighting. So, I’ve begun to bring my work, along with an easel, tripod and camera, down to an open area just around the corner. There is a place, a square, right across the street but it’s planted with trees and experiences a lot of foot traffic. The place I found is where the sidewalk widens and overlooks a small park. So, quite a nice open space to let the sunshine in.
The thing about shooting outside is the unpredictable elements. The cloudy sky might start to sprinkle and a sudden gust of wind can topple the whole precarious set up. I’ve managed to persevere, it’s sort of like waiting for a fish to bite in tumultuous winter weather.
Today I went down and set everything up, I’ve found a place next to the stone staircase that descends to the parallel street below. Passersby usually just swivel their heads expressionlessly without a word. Today, a couple of kids, maybe 12 or 13 years old, huffed their way up the three flights. The first kid ducked courteously as to not ruin my shot (though he wouldn’t have anyway) and his friend, upon inspection of my tableau remarked, “Very nice, sir”. I thanked him, he said it was nothing.
Times up !
And here’s the fruit of that shoot. All the penciling is done, the next step is to ink in all the branches and other details and erase the grid I used as an aid in getting everything in place. 80x80cm, mechanical pencil on paper palimpsest collaged canvas.
