The Dimensional Apple

Three apples are beside my keyboard: A fresh apple, my drawing of an apple and a ceramic apple paperweight. I study their relationship to each other and am reminded of my class in circular composition.

I learned no lines exist in any shape, just light and dark depending on the form and shadow. There is no black line surrounding the actual apple, and no lines exist in my drawing or on the ceramic apple either. This is one similarity between the three apples.

I began my drawing of an apple with a canvas covered with black chalk. The putty eraser was my ink, and my fingers were my tools. I surrounding the apple image with light and traced the edges carefully. There was no need for more chalk; light and dark created the apple composition.

The organic apple is three-dimensional, realistic and individual. Its color is a subtle variation of rose pink, red, green and yellow and has a pale luster. The ceramic apple is also three-dimensional but is painted one shade of red and possesses a brilliant sheen. My apple drawing is flat in surface yet modeling is emphasized in shades of light and dark punctuating volume and space.

Balance is apparent in the organic and ceramic apple. Each apple is three dimensional and if balance is not achieved, the apples will tip over. I must, however, use my imagination to envision balance in my apple composition. The surface is flat and the apple appears to be floating.

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