Sketches for Composition

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