UART Tip #62: “Simplifying a Complex Subject” with Susan Kuznitsky

All that detail can be overwhelming, but I am so drawn to it! My goal is to create the ‘feeling’ of detail without adding all the detail.

Step 1

This photo was taken at a coffee shop in a charming town in Northern Italy where I taught a workshop a few years back. I love the contrast of the rounded shapes of the domes and the geometric squares and rectangles of the shelves. And of course, the shine of the tiles.

Step 2 Gridding

For complex subjects I use this gridding method on the image and on my paper keeping the ratios the same. I find it very effective for students of all levels of drawing skill.

Step 3

I drew out the image using large basic shapes, ignoring small details. I use a pastel pencil or a charcoal pencil for this

Step 4

I do various types of underpainting techniques in my work. For this painting I used watercolors. This is the first wash. I am still focused on larger shapes.

Step 5

Because of the nature of watercolors, I often need 2 to 3 washes to reinforce the darks. I also did some redrawing. It is normal to lose some of the drawing in the underpainting stage. Sometimes depending on how complex the subject and composition is I might even use a very light pastel pencil and re grid the painting to tighten up the drawing before I get into the details.

Step 6

One more wash and more redrawing

Step 7

Once I am satisfied with the underpainting I begin to add smaller shapes into the large shapes. I use a variety of hard and soft pastel with my pastel pencils as my blending and harmonizing tool. I take this step slowly, stepping away often to make sure I add just enough detail to create the impression of the pastries, signs, cups, etc.… It is so easy to overdo it. For my goal of leaning towards impressionism this the most important stage.

Close up of the pasties and signs. Each mark has a purpose. You need far less then you think.

Close up of the shelves and tiles. I painted the cups as one shape and then added a small amount of detail to create the illusion of many cups. Same idea when painting the tiles. Not every tile is necessary.

Here is the finished piece – ‘Baristas’ 12 x 16:

Join Susan for a one-day workshop using UART Sanded Pastel Paper at https://canvas.oregonartcenter.org/classes/1910

See all of Susan’s workshops at https://www.susankuznitsky.com/workshops