On your inspiration at this time is Go to to a Museum by Edgar Degas.

(Click on right here to obtain a high-resolution photograph of the portray.)
Some key observations:
- The portray has two distinct components: the girl pursuing the museum and the museum itself. Degas used a singular strategy for every half. For the girl, he used advantageous rendering, laborious edges, and darkish, muted colours. For the gallery itself, he used imprecise element, pastel colours, and comfortable edges. A key function of the portray is the interplay and distinction between these two components. Additionally, regardless of the differing approaches, there’s a way of cohesion between the girl and the gallery. That is necessary for making the portray seem as one, slightly than as an association of components.
- The way in which Degas painted the girl locations her as the point of interest. The imprecise paintings falls again in consideration.
Tip: One among your powers as an artist is having the ability to management the place individuals look in your portray. You are able to do this by portray sure areas with extra readability, distinction, and element. Think about what the portray would seem like had Degas painted the museum with advantageous rendering and readability and the girl with imprecise, simplified element. In that case, there can be a stronger pull on our consideration towards the museum and the paintings on its partitions.
- There’s an attention-grabbing play between the curved traces and shapes that characterize the girl and the inflexible, geometric traces and shapes that characterize the museum. The museum makes the girl seem extra fluid and full of life by comparability.
- A robust diagonal line represents the sting between the museum wall and flooring. This diagonal performs an necessary position in conveying depth and perspective. Take into consideration what the portray would seem like had Degas painted instantly going through the wall. Flat and nonetheless I think about. Diagonals and curves are necessary! They inject life and depth into your work.
- In case you zoom in on the portray, you’ll see Degas’ brushwork gently follows the define of the girl. This helps reiterate her presence. I really feel it additionally provides a way of motion to the portray. Keep in mind, even in nonetheless and quiet scenes, there’s nearly all the time some motion.
In case you ever need to study extra about grasp work like this, you may be fascinated about Composition Breakdown.
Blissful portray!
Dan Scott
drawpaintacademy.com