Assignment 3: Waterloo Sunset: Amendment

Hopefully the added colour has improved this landscape I submitted for assignment 3. I feel I have bitten off a bit more than I can chew on this scene. Trying such a complex view in a two hour stint was I mistake, I realise now. Earlier pieces in the unit have been more successful due to their simplicity. It is true that I get a little anxious when dealing with an assignment piece and tend (so far) to overreach myself so that I risk not coming up to scratch. I’ll try to learn from this on the next assignment.

I chose to amend this picture using chalk. I find that further attempts to add colour to a surface already covered with coloured pencil are thwarted by the waxy surface to which many mediums do not readily adhere. As advised, I smudged the chalk into the surface and tried to give texture to the surface as well by leaving the chalk unsmudged in places. Using an eraser I tried giving a finer edge to the lines in the winter trees with mixed results. I used colours that were complimentary (opposites on the colour wheel) such as turquoise and russet/pink. I went round some edges with a black sharpie just to give emphasis to the woman’s profile and the jetty bridge.

I originally had an idea to add exaggerated characterful faces in the crowd on the bankside. I didn’t do this as I was concerned the composition may feel a little lopsided. Also, due to the fact that it’s meant to be representing atmospheric perspective and the middle ground should really be less detailed than the foreground.

I’m leaving it as it is now as I feel there is little more I can do to improve this piece.