SKETCHES FOR COMPOSITION JOHN KAY
West Mersea Boats
The Millrind Press
SKETCHES FOR COMPOSITION John Kay Copyright Š John Kay 2003 All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electrical or mechanical, without express permission in writing from the author.
Design & Layout by John Kay Published and printed in Minion by
The Millrind Press 22 Hall Road, Fordham, Colchester, Essex CO6 3NQ
ISBN 1 902194 10 1
SKETCHES FOR COMPOSITION JOHN KAY This is a collection of some of what I consider to be my best compositional sketches. Most of them have been used as the basis for later paintings. Many of these were painted under a time restriction, that is as demonstrations before a critical art club audience. I must like to live dangerously! I have always maintained, as have most of the artists that I admire, that it is almost impossible, when working in the field or studio to embark on a painting without some form of preliminary sketch, no matter how perfunctory or crude it is some attempt should be made to organise the tones and shapes to make a satisfactory statement before tackling the finished painting. In my experience, the selection of colour is something that can happily be left to a later stage. The secret of all painting, but most particularly watercolour, is to think a lot and plan out your next move very carefully before rushing into its execution.
The Millrind Press ISBN 1 902194 10 1
2003
Sketches for Composition
Street in Cambridge
E. Bergholt Church, South side
4
Sketches for Composition
Tonal Variations
Grassington, farmhouse
5
Sketches for Composition
The Harbour, Honfleur
General Store, Naxos
6
Sketches for Composition
Jumbo, Colchester
From Maldon Yacht Club
7
Sketches for Composition
Ellisdon’s Cafe, Stirling
Addington Common
8
Sketches for Composition
Aldeburgh Sea Front
House in Aldeburgh
9
Sketches for Composition
Anstruther, Fife
Droitwich Centre
10
Sketches for Composition
Brightlingsea High Street
E. Bergholt Church, North Side
11
Sketches for Composition
Thumbnail Sketches Colchester
The Backs and Kings College, Cambridge
12
Sketches for Composition
Anzy le Duc
Grassmere Farm, Little Cornard
13
Sketches for Composition
The Moat, Moat House, Fordham
Monastiraki, Athens
14
Sketches for Composition
Moraira, Costa Blanca
The Riverside, Knaresborough
15
Sketches for Composition The Railway Viaduct, Knaresborough
Market Day, Knaresborough
16
Sketches for Composition
High Street, Newport-on-Tay, Fife
Riverview, Newport-on-Tay
17
Sketches for Composition
Pittenweem, Fife
The Plaka, Athens
18
Sketches for Composition Business meeting
High Street, Castle Hedingham
19
Sketches for Composition Still Life Demonstration
Hotel Svon Marienbad
20
Sketches for Composition
Trinity Street, Colchester
The Monastery, Valdemosa, Mallorca
21
Sketches for Composition
Wells Yacht Club, Norfolk
Willie Lot’s Cottage
22
Sketches for Composition
Tonal Study, Ford Street Bridge, Fordham
Wivenhoe Boats
23
Sketches for Composition
Flatford Mill
E.Bergholt Church
24
Sketches for Composition
Peralta Terrace, Tuscany
Tractor, Grassmere Farm, Little Cornard
25
Sketches for Composition
Maldon High Street
Wharfedale Village
26
The Millrind Press ISBN 1 902194 10 1