Value and composition study | Sushi and Manga at Silhoette

Value study  seeking large abstract value masses and interesting shapes.

Silhouette sushi bar with big screen Manga animation movies playing nonstop.... :)))

Sketchbook notes

Quick gestural sketch (under 5 min) looking for value masses and thinking in terms of foreground (glass and backpack), middle ground (seated figures) and background (suggested room and people with pictures and windows about 30' away).   It is much more interesting, fun, and fluid to sketch this way, as opposed to becoming distracted by details and drawing objects....in defining the value masses and simplifying the details the "identity" and nature of the subject and objects emerge spontaneously.....

Sketchbook notes

Sketchbook notes:   composition basics:

1. Crop for drama
2. Look for value masses
3. Design divisions with rhythm
4. Keep shapes interesting
5. Avoid attracting attention to the edges
6  Create depth with overlap
7. Watch the corners
8. Create an entrance
9. Organize your masses
10.  Organize eye movement with gradations
11. Use straight lines  to balance and "seat" curves
12. Think foreground, middle ground, and background

Quick thumbnail value sketch (10 min or less) looking for value masses, interesting shapes, and balance...

composition studies | evening interiors

Silhouette Sushi Restaurant | Congress Ave
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Zen Japanese Fast Food restaurant | SoCo
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Focus of study: Composition

In honor of the winter months the studio process will include a foundational shift from "sketch hunting" to "composition hunting". The end objective in mind is to focus less on the "subject matter" and look behind it to the arrangement of shapes on the picture plane and the creation of visual flow within a sketch or painting. A shift from the effort to create an engaging and recognizable sketch through object-driven drawing....drawing a person, a building, a tree, a plant, a bicycle, "Jo's coffee Shop", ...etc...to exploring the range and visual dynamics of the picture plane, regardless of the subject matter at hand.

The primary instructional resource is Ian Roberts' text: Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting.


The primary exercise is the "composition a day"...it's not intended to be a regimented focus on creating at least one composition a day....but rather the intention that whenever engaged in the creative "hunt" that the focus embodies "a sketch journal adventure exploring and falling in love with the world one composition @ a time".

Jo's | hot coffee:good food:cold beer....

copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Enjoying a Bodhi bowl @ Zen on Congress Ave gazing at Jo's hot coffee:good food:cold beer across the street on the corner of Congress and James.....

25th Annual Sketch Crawl - Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial

copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Pathway around Town Lake @ the Stevie Ray Vaughan memorial. Sketch was completed from field notes in Corel Painter with Wacom tablet.

Tantramount I

copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Quick abstract color study while calibrating a Wacom Intuos drawing tablet with an iMac and Corel Painter.

Casa De Luz | Bowl of sunshine....

Casa de Luz | lunch here is food for the soul| graphite| Pen | 11.19.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Each spoonful of each bowl of soup @ Casa De Luz is like liquid sunshine....its that good, and that pure of a delight....

lunchtime stroll

Construction walkway, downtown Austin | pen and graphite | 11.18.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Office View | Municipal Bldg, 8th St.

Municipal Bldng | graphite value study| 11.16.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Bit too windy to sit outside and sketch today during lunch...so pb&j and pencils looking out of my North facing office window. My view is from a building on Colorado and 7th st. The view is looking to the NE corner of Colorado and 8th st. The shadowed doorways across the street belong to the Amsterdam Cafe'. The sunlit building is the Municipal Building.

People @ Casa De Luz

Pen and ink, graphite, watercolor | Casa De Luz | 11.14.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

New Sketchbook and pens :))) !

conscious looking... we are how we see | pen and ink, watercolor, graphite| 11.13.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Vienna Teng @ Stubbs

Vienna Teng @ Stubbs, inside upstairs table looking down | graphite | 11.12.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

First time to see an inside concert @ Stubbs. Nice sound, intimate setting, great show! Upstairs table view rocks! Did I mention the jalapeno cheesy spinach?

random gaze....

graphite | oil pastel | 11.11.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Lunch on the steps (6th St.)

6th Street Fountain steps | graphite | 11.11.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

people @ Magnolia Cafe

people @ Magnolia Cafe | Austin, Tx | graphite | 11.10.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Threadgills | Bob Schneider Texas Bluegrass Massacre

Threadgill's | Bob Schneider Texas Bluegrass Massacre | graphite | ink | 11.7.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

sketchbook diptych ... two consecutive pages.... the one on the left was drawn while relaxin' before the band and crowd arrived....throwdown on the right..... good times....! :)

Auditorium Shores, view from under the Tree of Remembrance | graphite | ink | 11.7.09
copyright 2009 b. scott shaevel | studio712; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Beautiful weather...hub of energy, runners, paddlers, chillers and dogs....sat under the shade of The Remembrance Tree enjoying the view of city hall, and the First St. bridge....