"GONE" (Reading Gas Tower)
A commissioned original, also available as a giclee print, enquire here.
GONE
©Michael Garaway 2019
42 x 28.8 cm Watercolour & Acrylic
Notes from the Commission process:
Initial meeting was on 12 June 2019, followed by commission agreement. Thirteen initial photos taken.
Research site visit was done on 16 June 2019, which encompassed views of the gas-holder from a number of surrounding accessible locations, both near and more distant. Sixty seven photos taken.
Stage 1 studies were worked on mainly between 8 - 11 July 2019.
The objectives of the studies were to:
1 Determine the possible compositional layout
2 Indicate the typical colour palette and support choices (two types of watercolour paper)
3 Understand the structure of the gas-holder and how it could be rendered for the artwork
4 Provide options for the rendering of the gas-holder
Sample Photo 1
Used for context and structure reference
Sample Photo 2
Used for context, structure and colour reference
Sample Photo 3
Used for structure and colour reference
Sample Photo 4
Used for colour reference
Sample Photo 5
Used for structure reference
Sample Photo 6
Used for structure reference
In the studio...
Initial features, dimensions and proportions were considered, to suit the desired format and size of the artwork
The 18 sided structure of the gas-holder was explored for ways of constructing it as a drawing, the alignment of rear (blue) and front (grey) columns could be adjusted by changing the offset angle of the governing plan view.
A 15º offset centred the rear columns between the front columns. A 12º offset appeared to provide a more dynamic result.
An unsuccessful attempt to produce the ellipsoid structure manually using the trammel method. This was not appropriate at this scale.
A larger manual perspective drawing was also aborted.
Sample photo 6 was traced in Adobe Illustrator to obtain the ellipses, and these were isolated and printed separately, then overworked to suggest a possible treatment.
A more detailed exploration of the structure elevation at 1:1 scale in the sketchbook
Paper choice
Two types of watercolour paper are available - both are 300 gsm Hahnemuhle Britannia, one with a rough texture, the other matt.
Raking light from right
Light from top
Composition outlines
All these employ the waterside and foliage context with reflections, to make full use of the format.
The gas-holder is rendered with the ellipses following a photographic perspective, but combined with stylistic flatness in the lower part of the work. It might work…
A flat elevation approach which gives upper space to sky features that could subtly reflect foliage features below.
This concept separates an ellipsoid structure in a ghostly fashion from the flat elevation.
Another flat elevation which allows more lower space to show the gas-holder reflected in a waterside context. This may be the best composition.
The sky treatment should contrast appropriately with the structure, and therefore needs to be relatively uniform or tonally managed to avoid distraction.
Final work in progress...
GONE
©Michael Garaway 2019
42 x 28.8 cm Watercolour & Acrylic