If Morandi Ate Sweet Potatoes

Wondering what would happen if Morandi ate sweet potatoes? Me too, gentle reader! How did you know? Before you share, I want to welcome you and new readers today. And, if you’re a new reader, here’s a link with a description of the purpose of this blog. Let’s get to today’s painting and it’s inspiration.

Sweet Potato Still Life Painting

I could have called this painting “Sweet Potato Still Life Painting” but there’s a lot of intention and learning that went on here in this 9×12 inch work. So, first I will share a larger image and then I’ll explain the inspiration and intention.

Here’s why Giorgio Morandi is in the mix of this week’s painting and blog post. First, so many of his paintings break so many fundamental rules of composition in painting. And, yet, they have a sense of calm and serenity that is, to me anyway, palpable. Here’s an example of one of his (1350!!!) paintings he painted in his lifetime. It’s called, you guessed it, “Still Life” or the more evocative version in Italian “Natura Morta.”

Rule Breaker Supreme

So here are a few ways Morandi ‘breaks’ composition rules. First, he puts all the objects in the middle of the picture plane. And, he has a horizontal line that is practically in the middle of the picture plane. Also, notice that each of the objects line up on the same line at their bottom edge. Each of these three aspects of this painting are technically ‘poor’ compositional decisions.

But wait there’s more! He does not show any cast shadow with any of the objects in the painting. What’s a cast shadow? Imagine if light is coming from the upper right hand corner of Morandi’s painting. Each object, or at least the object on the left side of the painting would cast a shadow on the table top.

There is a slightly darker value at the left ‘shoulder’ of the middle yellow jug. Perhaps this is a cast shadow of the fourth still life object behind the three in the foreground? Who knows? What do you think?

Rule Breaker Meets Rule Follower

All I know is that this Rule Follower saw several Morandi paintings this week. And, I was inspired to see if I can borrow his ideas and – eek – break a few rules in my own painting. Before I get to my painting I have to say the biggest reason I chose Morandi is because of the feeling I get when I look at this one in particular.

And, this is where I acknowledge that paintings and the viewer’s experience can be subjective. So your results may, of course, vary. But, for me, there’s a sense of calm and serenity that I experience when I spend some time looking at this painting by Morandi. So why not try breaking some rules in my own painting?

Two Rules

To keep things simple, I decided to create a painting where I would 1. strive to keep a close value range and 2. paint each object with a sense of volume but limit shadows. Full disclosure, I am learning all of this in a class I’m taking right now.

So did I follow the rules that I wanted to break? Well, kind of. Technically, I think Morandi would have used a more neutral color palette than I. And, the cast shadows in the set up in my studio were just so beautiful, I had to include them in the painting. I did line up the top of the olive oil bottle and the skillet handle. And the bottom of the bottle and skillet are on the same line, too. And the left edge of the sweet potato lines up with the edge of the iron skillet. Yes, I did each of these compositional faux pas’ on purpose. Here’s a photograph of the set up and painting in progress.

In keeping with Morandi’s painting, I did not include the cast shadow of the sweet potato on the table top. Or, for that matter, any of the other two objects’ cast shadows on the table top. This, to me, is what’s eye catching and a potential serenity generator. Perhaps this is difficult to see in a photograph of this painting. But I definitely enjoyed painting this painting and the feeling it evokes for me. Although I am not exactly clear what adjective to choose to describe the feeling.

I can share that I love cooking sliced or cubed sweet potatoes in just a smidge of olive oil in that iron skillet. It’s the simplest side dish ever. But shazam it’s packed with color and darn good nutrition too. Maybe some of that cooking love is coming through here too?

Little Surprise

There’s a fun detail in this painting that is likely only visible to a viewer who sees this one in person. Just thinking about this detail makes me smile!

What About You Gentle Reader

Are you a rule breaker by nature? Or are you, like me, looking for a nudge to break some rules? What do you think of the Morandi painting I shared here today? Does it leave you flat or do you get a sense of serenity too or perhaps some other feeling? Either way, I am curious to hear what you think. Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments below.