Not having learned art before– besides craft projects for kids, I found contour drawing the hardest. four weekly drawings in sketchbook the hardest assignment. I understood the importance of it. I googled images for sketch examples. Still, I did not have clear concept of sketch drawing: how long should I spend time on one sketch? Should I only draw what I see?
One of Wally Kandinsky’s drawing blew away my concern.
(Drawing No.6 1933, pen and ink)
“Drawing No.6” is just so Kandinsky. His drawings were different from classic ones. Instead of exploring the observed world, he depicted abstraction and nonrepresentational imagery – he drew what he liked.
Not all of his artworks are abstract like the one above. In fact, he became an artist late and established his style through ample measure of transitional development. He was born in Russia on December 16th 1866. And he decided to become an artist and went to Academy of Fine Arts, Munich in his thirties. Until then, he studied privately. He was interested in colors and psychology. He used bright colors and dark background during his amateur period.
(Study for “The Sluice” 1991)
At Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, he started off as landscape painter. At first, he diligently explored Munich and countryside. He used palette-knife strokes and its clear structures in his early works. (His first drawings are so different from his geometric, abstract ones that I thought I found the wrong picture.) In Kandinsky’s manner of working, observation and painting were distinct – he drew in his studio heavily depending on his memory. His reliance on visual experiences could have caused ater works become dreamy. Smooth and chuncky strokes replaced rough and choppy ones found in early works.
In early 1900s was a decrease in Kandinsky’s production. People still do not know the exact reason. Perhaps it is because he divorced with his wife Ania or because he suffered from the pressure to his search for creative identity. (Since he began his career late, he could have worked extra hard to absorb knowledge.) When he resumed his work, he showed dramatic change in his style. He still drew landscapes, houses, and gardens. Yet, he used longer brushstrokes. In 1911 he founded the Blue Riders with Franz Marc. He continued to express his idea of art, and he completed first three of programmatically structured works: “Compositions.”
(“Composition 7” 1913)
(“Drawing of Composition 7” 1913)
Although the work is shockly abstract, Kandinsky diligently created his style based on his visual experiences. I was amazed how he first sketched his work in pencil with notes, sketched in colors, and finally drew the final work. And here, he used sketches for study-drawing.
In 1922, Kadinsky became a professor at the Bauhaus. During this period, he used more precise geometrical shapes: lines, radiating segments, circles … Also he used more calm and cooler colors. When the Bauhaus closed in 1932, he moved to Paris. He drew similar geometric, abstract paintings yet more colorful. In December 13, 1944 he died in France.
("Composition 10", 1939)
Kandinsky, one of my favorite artists, gave me a lot of hope. He proved that there is no late start in art – I just need to extra effort to catch up. Also, he gave me crystal clear idea for drawings and sketches. I thought sketchbook is for “imitation” practice – so that I learn to depict object more accurately. However, I realized sketchbook is like personal blog. I can doodle or draw whatever I want; study-draw or design.
References:
Thomas M. Messer, Vasily Kandinsky, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1997
Hans K. Roethel, Kandinsky, Hudson Hills Press, 1979
Johannes Eichner, Kandinsky Und Gabriele Munter, Im Verlag F.Bruckmann Munchen
Margaret Krug, An Artist’s Handbook, Abrams Studio, 2007
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