It's such a sobering education to try and copy a master - and learn from failure. I didn't even dare take on the giant. My lines stagger uncertainly whereas his flow with assurance. The designer cloud-shapes against hatched sky require a sureness of colour, contrast and touch which came naturally to him. He felt the contours of the landscape like a sculptor and represented them like a draughtsman. His landscape glows and ripples: his wheat shimmers in its parallel patterning and he loves the grassland so much that he gives it a humorously woven texture. He is unafraid of the irregular kinks in the fence and harmonises its frames and rhythms within the landscape. I love how boldly he uses the position of the (giant) post, with its carefully observed twists of wire: it breaks the horizon line and divides the painting jazzily off-centre - and, unlike my dull upright, his leans animatedly - inviting you downhill, into the picture and towards the (invisible) giant. Now please visit the original here (with the giant!) www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1BLWB_enGB548GB548&sxsrf=ALeKk03RkkGzcXl9fV2rJ0V9L6uCvbYLyw:1614382235454&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=ravilious+wilmington+giant&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjp5LO92ojvAhVDr3EKHVuOBSoQjJkEegQIAxAB&biw=1309&bih=714 |