Description
It is an autumnal afternoon; the light is low, angled in to create deep shadows. This is a slow curve of a mature river; its deep, cool waters seem black even in the light of the day. I love the contrasts here – the flat and mostly dark river surface against the lively light on the trees and the faintly rippling water with its traces of birds and aquatic life. There’s an interesting sense of depth in the reflections despite the flatness of the surface and, although there are a lot of dark tones in the drawing, the light penetrates, animating the scene. There is a restrained drama here in the hidden depths of the river and a suggestion of life in the calm water. I’m interested in the abstract qualities of composition. The angled light draws the eye into the frame, the focus being the far river bank and, just around the corner, there’s something just out of reach. The tree on the right, and its reflection, add balance to the focal point.
