Dark - Light Pattern as a Visual Approach

It was good to be back in class this week.  We began to study dark-light pattern as a visual
approach and will continue to do so for 2 more sessions.  The morning lecture focused on
Motherwell's "Elegy to the Spanish Republic #34", Wyeth's "Wolf Moon" and Levine's "Birmingham 1963".

This visual approach relies on two strong value groups.  The artist must promote a pattern in one of the groups because it is the pattern that draws the eye into the painting.  The whole painting is reduced to two shapes, one dark, one light that can be seen by squinting.  Value shifts are ok as long as they belong to one of the two value groups.  The shapes still have to be unique, specific and have gradation. The artist must avoid equal weight of the dark, light shapes or the result will be a checkerboard effect.  The pattern should touch or have a visual connection.  Edges may be varied to make the paintings less static ( Motherwell vs. Levine).

Not easy!  We did two studies in the afternoon - one abstract and one from life using vine charcoal on newsprint.  My life study was the water bottle depicted above.

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