Apples 1984, Richter

Apples 1984, Gerhard Richter 

As well as exploring other specialisms, I am continuing painting and exploring the vast range of work of Gerhard Richter. His photo-like portraits can be considered abstract due to the clouded, indefinite appearance, however I wanted to explore this further. I used this painting as a starting point to produce quick printing ink sketches to first explore how apples may appear as a subject matter. I find the compositional elements quite striking and the way Richter isolates the subject matter. As this was an element I enjoyed I wanted to explore this further in my studies by making the apples stand out more, for this reason as the studies went on I made the background darker. To create abstract ambiguity I smudged the wet ink with a dry brush which I find highly effective.