Series 7:  Brush as Comunicator

Brush as Shape Maker

[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]In this lesson, S7L2 Brush as Shape Maker of  BRUSH AS COMMUNICATOR,   Dianne picks up where she left off in Lesson 1, using that blockin to demonstrate how the brush can communicate shapes from the negative, the positive and with line.  She explains why learning to refer to the shape to determine how the brush will make the shape gives more freedom of expression than memorizing special techniques for shaping various types of subjects.  [/typography].

[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]  When we’re first learning to paint, regardless of the medium, too often we focus on applying the paint rather than how the brush moves.  But when we elevate our thinking to comparing what the brush does with the role of the bow for the violinist and the golf club for the golpher, it takes on new meaning for its role in communicating images.  This new way of thinking about the brush makes it as much a part of creating a composition as does how we arrange shapes and values.  It actually becomes a part of the overall design.  [/typography]

[typography font=”Cantarell” size=”24″ size_format=”px”]Among contempary artists whose work reveals the brush’s role in creating direction in composition, Qiang Huang stands out as significant.  Take a look at the brushwork in the slide show on the homepage of his website and stroll through the works on his blog.   Another artist whose use of a stroke’s direction is equally provocative is Quang Ho, especially his Grey, Orange, Green Soloist. [/typography]