The past week has been spent reminding myself of the importance of drawing, and attempting to develop my skill and confidence in that direction. It is always the case, isn’t it, that just when you think you are getting the hang of something you realise that there is something else demanding your attention.
Today has been spent largely catching up on my backlog of reading. The pile of magazines and other stuff on the coffee table was getting to the embarrassing stage. High on my list of items to look at beyond the initial skim was the catalogue of the current exhibition at Messum’s Gallery. The featured artist is one of whom I had never previously heard–Martyn Mackrill. I discover that he is one of the country’s foremost marine artists, and I can see why.
The exhibition (it seems) includes not only his finished paintings but a wide selection of his drawings of varying degrees of formality. Well: I guess that is another kick in the pants encouraging me to keep at the drawing. Possibly more startling than this, however, was my realisation of just how superbly well-composed are his pictures. Perhaps this is an aspect of art to which I am sensitive, and I believe it is always something to which I pay attention. It is possible that I am more attuned to this dimension of painting than others might be. On this occasion, however, I could not help but be overwhelmed by the appreciation of his ability in this respect. I’m not always sure how Mackrill does it, but the way in which his images are composed actually adds considerably to the sense of the motion of both the sailing craft he portrays and the water.
His rapid watercolour sketches are truly impressive. I reckon this is the next dimension of drawing to which I need to attend. Many years ago I did attend a course in which this figured significantly, but I’m afraid I’ve let it go. I suppose it is good to have a target for which I can aim, even if it is a moving one.