Summer Fields - Joan Eardley

Question 1

Type

Answer 1

Oil & grasses on hardboard

Question 2

Date

Answer 2

1961

Question 3

Size

Answer 3

106 x 105 cm

Question 4

Composition/ arrangement

Answer 4

• high horizon, low view, feels like looking up
• below horizon split two triangular sections, left dyke, right field
• field stands out as framed by darker sections contrast.

Question 5

Media handling & techniques

Answer 5

• textural with use of impasto, painting messy as sketchy manner, large visible strokes, thick patches + dry brush = relaxed, informal
• ladscape painted on site, capture essence, real grasses bring scene to life
• brushstrokes spontaneous + carefree, sense of movement + life

Question 6

Colour

Answer 6

• yellow + orange most predominant, warm joyful feeling, bright yellow contrast with sky + FG, brings focus, golden
• grey sky has hints of warmer + small blue flecks, realistic of east coast summer, warm + breezy

Question 7

Line

Answer 7

• obvious grass lines stand out, gestural + spontaneous, movement
• 2 leading lines frame field, structural use draws eyes to field focal point
• different directions in field, movement, windy day, comes alive for viewer

Question 8

Tone

Answer 8

• muted tones for sky above field, contrast to bright, vibrant tones of yellow so makes focal point
• variety’s of tints + shades of yellow, depth + movement. Small amount of tone in haystack, direction of light, sense of form

Question 9

Texture

Answer 9

• real grasses attached w thick paint, brings subject matter to life, could touch scene
• thick paint with impasto layered in different directions shows texture of grassy field, movement + feeling of among grass

Question 10

Shape/ form

Answer 10

• indications of form with tone in haystack, darker brown on edge = shadow, lighter gold yellow on side = light hitting, realistic
• painting 3 geometric shapes…contrast with organic expressive top layer, distance, depth

Question 11

Pattern

Answer 11

• natural patterns; small repeated dots = grass seeds + short repeated lines = small petals, addition of pattern + fine detail improves visual impact, take closer look

Question 12

Scale

Answer 12

• large scale painting, fully encapture vast countryside, visual impact as towers imposingly, large so understand expanse
• accurate perspective; larger scale detailed grasses at front placed low, detail reduced moving further up, depth + realistic

Question 13

Style

Answer 13

• resembles early expressionist, attention to mood & atmosphere + simplification of subject matter, warm joyful mood on summers day
• clear influence of french impressionist painters like Monet in dabbing application + clear strokes, movement

Question 14

Subject matter/ imagery

Answer 14

• chosen to paint in summertime, bright colours, warm atmosphere, grey sky Scotland
• painting at scene so could use real grasses on painting from subject matter, captures essence + connects viewer

Question 15

Mood & atmosphere

Answer 15

• cheery + joyful with warm golden yellow, glowing with touches of deep orange, contrasts with sky + dyke so balance + yellow stands out w/o clashing, warmth of summer field
• playful + adventurous with sketchy manner + feels like among grass