Contemporary Realism Drawing of the Week: “At Dusk”

Congratulations to Rosanna Gaddoni, whose work has been recognized in the monthly PleinAir® Salon.

“At Dusk”
by Rosanna Gaddoni

The view from my windows is filled with trees and greenery, and the neighborhood is dotted with fields and water. Wildlife and farm animals accompany my daily sights and often become the subjects of my art, along with the human figure, symbolizing different states of mind. Sheep and lambs are among my favorite animals to depict. The humble and docile presence of sheep and the tenderness of lambs touch me deeply.

“At Dusk” symbolizes the calm that the approaching evening conveys to me. At dusk, the evening chirping from the trees in my garden gradually quiets down. In spring, when I created this work, I imagined that somewhere, in a shelter, a newborn lamb was finding a warm place in the shade, and in the fading light, surrendering to the peaceful energy of the enfolding night.

Creating this piece presented challenges, particularly due to the medium of charcoal. Maintaining control over the tonal values was essential to achieve depth in the dark background. I wanted to depict the essence of lambs, representing their vulnerability and gentleness, rather than one lamb in particular. The challenge was to focus on the details, ensuring the contrasts were balanced without overworking the drawing, and allowing the subject to emerge with clarity and dimension from the surrounding shadows.

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“Solstizio d’Inverno”

In my ideal world, all beings (humans, animals, plants, stones…) live in harmony, fully attuned to nature’s rhythms. “Solstizio d’Inverno” reflects that dream, in the gentle energy shift of the winter solstice, when light begins to reclaim the day. Animals, with their sensible antennas, often perceive this shift before humans do.

To me, animals often symbolize different states of mind, and I find endless fascination in observing them. They live simply, attuned to the shifting seasons, creating rituals, in deep contact with the world around them. They teach me the art of existing. Their surrender to the unknown doesn’t limit their world; instead, it expands it into a vast, boundless mystery.

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“Within”

“Within” reflects how I perceive life, as a purely inner experience. The sages of all times have always reminded us: “Know thyself,” for all that happens is filtered by our own perspective, reflecting who we are.

The moment I stop wondering what the world is like out there and turn my gaze within, that world comes to visit me with all its treasures.

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“Pecus”

I’ve always had a deep love for animals, especially sheep and lambs. Their humble, gentle presence has accompanied humans for thousands of years.

When I take walks near my home and stop at the edge of a field where they graze freely, a few will often trot over to me, looking for a bit of affection or a handful of fresh grass I’ve just picked.

They give everything to their shepherd, their milk, their fleece, even their lives, and they also bring a simple kind of happiness that I truly cherish.

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“Nell”

Our face is more than just a physical feature. It hides an immense truth, as our uniqueness goes beyond what we see. It connects directly with the most remote part of our core, the immortal essence within us, making each of us different in our characteristics, expressions, and destiny. The closer we come to that essence, the more truthful our life becomes.

I love, and will always love, creating portraits because it allows me to perceive that essence.

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My Process

I start my drawings with a draft to establish composition and dimension, a basic sketch outlining the general shape. I then gradually build up depth by applying charcoal in layers, preserving the white of the paper for the lighter parts and highlights. This requires early decisions about where to apply charcoal and where to leave it untouched as charcoal cannot be neatly removed from paper once applied in layers, and the risk of damaging the delicate paper surface is high.

I use different types of charcoal: vine, willow, and compressed, sometimes along with graphite. I use cloths and brushes for blending shadows, especially where the edges of the background meet the subject’s shape. The final touches involve highlighting by adjusting the lighter areas with a kneaded eraser or harder gum and darkening the deepest parts with pure compressed charcoal. I work on various types of papers, and from the range, I choose the texture that can help me convey a specific effect and weights that can handle multiple layers of charcoal and blending.

About me and what generally inspires my art, please check the Bio and Art statement on my website: https://www.gaddonifineart.com/about

About the PleinAir Salon:

In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online art competition, with 11 monthly cycles, leading to the annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The competition rewards artists with $50,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine.

Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir Magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, websites, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the next Plein Air Convention & Expo.

The next round of the PleinAir Salon has begun so hurry, as this competition ends on the last day of the month. Enter your best art in the PleinAir Salon here.

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