A look inside a drawing
Erwin P Lewandowski shares his techniques with coloured pencils and demonstrates how to capture the swirling qualities of moving water
As an artist it’s important to have a working theme that enables you to grow your career. My art business started to come together following several years of experimentation. The end result was a long journey exploring the endless opportunities working with waterscapes. Finding a theme that met and exceeded my expectations was priceless for me.
Meeting challenges head on is important to me because it allows for continued growth as an artist. When confronted with an unknown situation, I take time to study the issue and look for options to help me move forward. I always aim to keep an open mind to my art activities, marketing issues, equipment, my business model and creative plans. I recommend finding a comfortable niche for your artwork. This is a serious challenge that all artists face; however, discovering what subjects appeal to your creative mindset and personal interests will pay dividends over time. I’ve also learned to pace myself and only work when the motivation is present.
Deciding on a scene or subject to draw is usually a challenging exercise for me. The selection process begins by considering a wide range of issues. This list takes into account the hours of research and travel experiences to locate the potential sources.
I use a visual assessment of the elements to determine whether they have sufficient personal interest and always include one or more focal points to support a final composition.
Cascading Water XXVII is a good example of a complex and challenging waterscape that meets and exceeds my criteria for a good drawing. The scene actually included two separate settings that are blended together to form a unique water presentation. A strong contrast between the diverse rock formations, cascading water movements, and the calm water background help to add value and appeal to the final composition.