February 2015

[Jane Noakes]

The second in a series of charcoal drawings of the River Kennet has now been completed. I have included the shape of a fisherman in the foreground to develop the narrative element of the composition; it’s dark mass contrasting with the lighter areas of the canvas, representing the reflections in the  surface of the water. To add weight to the subject, I drew the effect of falling rain on the space, showing the distorting effect of water droplets in the atmosphere and how it impacts perspective.  The drawing is sombre, but restful and calm, not gloomy. The solidity of the human form emphasises the ongoing flow of river. Time passes and is measured by the bare limbs of the overhanging branches like the hands of a clock.