Bowl, Walnuts and Dates – a Value Study in Black and White Chalk

This drawing, whilst a value study, was also an attempt to lay out a composition based on the Golden Spiral. The spiral starts at the bottom left and follows the edge of the fold of the cloth before looping around the bowl.

I’m yet to be convinced that the golden section, golden mean, spiral or any other mathematical basis for composition creates any more beauty than usual, though. My own feeling is that much practice in order to develop a feeling for spacing and asymmetrical balance is much more useful and practical if you want to improve your compositions.