I went to a classical concert yesterday, at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm, and made a couple of sketches both before and during the concert. I sat slightly above, to the left of, the orchestra, and saw the solo pianist from behind. He played very vividly, and it was interesting to try to capture his posture while he was moving. The second drawing is of some of the faces in the orchestra. Stage lighting gives an interesting play with shadows on people´s faces, with sometimes extreme contrasts. Hard to draw but very intriguing.
I like how musicians in a big orchestra look at each other and at the conductor all the time, the interaction between all those people up on the stage is fantastic. It seems like they all have total control, they all know where they fit in, they just need to check with the others to make sure that they get it perfectly right... Amazing. Watching symphony orchestras is one of the few things that can actually make me wish I was a musician instead of good at drawing. The experience of playing music together with others - especially with so many others - must be pure happiness.
Both images: 12,5 x 15,5 cm, Staedtler Triplus Fineliners on Fabriano Artistico hot press paper.
10 comments:
I used to think about this a lot, Nina...the difference between being an artist and being a musician. My first husband and my beloved brother in law were both jazz musicians--people in a band or an orchestra or just a jazz trio DO interact and create something wonderful together.
Usually, we artists are out here on our own, entirely. There's no audience, either, generally...very different set of circumstances. Equally valid, but almost diametrically opposed!
Great captures here Nina...I really enjoyed your written word as well...they made a nice partnership!:)
So nicely done. I tried sketching at a concerts twice recently but not with as much success as you! Really nicely done.
What a thoughtful post as well as great drawings to go with it.
As a past (very distant past) amateur (very very amateur) musician, I can say it is exhiliarating to play well with an orchestra or chamber group.
But, as Kate so aptly observed, it's different from the kind of art we make and I've found this suits me better.
I can almost hear them Nina...Wonderful work!!!
Love your sketches Nina and this site is wonderful! Keep up the good work.
I love your posts, Nina- as an artist and a musician, I can say you can do both well! :) I love playing with the orchestra- you've got the group feeling put into words perfectly. It's a wonderful experience.
I also love my art and am happy to be able to do both. It's never too late to learn an instrument! :)
Your colors are fascinating, especially the blue outlined guy! Amazing affect!
Lisa
Awesome drawings - the colored portraits are wonderful! I agree with your words, too, and I suppose that's why we get so much emotion when hearing music, especially in concerts.
fantastic
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