Lesson 4

The purpose of Lesson 4 was to consider how much information to put into a drawing. What level of detail is required to create a dynamic engaging image. In other words, what to include.

The locations and subjects for this exercise built somewhat on the previous lesson. During Lesson 3 I spent a couple of hours watching the Richmond Shakespeare Society rehearsing for a production of Pride and Prejudice which was to be performed outside in Fountain Gardens, Twickenham. I decided to use a performance of the play as my first subject.

The audience were asked to bring their own chairs, drinks and picnic, so it was a very social and relaxed atmosphere.

I created a number of thumbnails from my seat. It wasn’t possible to move around the location once the play had started, so I had to work with what was in front of me.

After deciding on a composition. I used thumbnails to explore how different levels of detail in different features would impact the drawing.

Fig 1 – Exploring different levels of detail in different features (2022)

I worked up a more finished drawing adding an additonal thumbnail to test whether adding a new column feature in the background would work.

Fig 2 – Pride and Prejudice developed drawing (2022)

The second location was in Sandringham woods.

Fig 3 – Exploring different levels of detail and layout (2022)

The final worked up drawing was made using different sized dip pens and a bamboo pen and ink.

Fig 4 – Sandringham Woods developed drawing (2022)

The final location was in the churchyard of St Nicholas in Thame Ditton. I wanted to try and keep the exercise simple with a limited number of planes and features.

Fig 5 – Churchyard thumbnails (2022)
Fig 6 – Churchyard developed drawing (2022)

Reflections

What went well

  • Slowing down and exploring specific features made a lot of sense and helped focus impact. For example, spending time to accurately describe the woman’s hand holding a wine glass in the first drawing.
  • There is more for me to explore/experiment with here – I like the idea of editing in the sense of making decision about what to include rather than what to take out.

What I’d do differently/better

  • I struggled a bit in not being disciplined enough with the thumbnailing i.e. not paying enough attention to the brief and getting sidetracked or not faithfully developing the thumbnail.
  • In the first drawing, being constrained to my seat in the audience was frustrating. I need to find a way to organise better access next time.
  • Keeping things simple at this stage is best.

References

List of illustrations

Figure 1 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Exploring different levels of detail in different features [Fountain pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 2 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Pride and Prejudice developed drawing [Fountain pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 3 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Exploring different levels of detail and layout [Fountain pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 4 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Sandringham Woods developed drawing [Dip pen and ink] In possession of: The author

Figure 5 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Churchyard thumbnails [Fountain pen] In possession of: The author

Figure 6 – Hadfield, Hugh (2022) Churchyard developed drawing [Dip pen and ink] In possession of: The author

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