Solarization

This graphite pencil drawing ‘Roundism – 19-08-20’ is walk down the path of Man Ray’s solarization and combination with cubism. It is also called ‘the Sabbatier Effect’. Solarization became an important part of his oevre. Legend has it that one time his model Lee Miller entered Man Ray’s darkroom. She overexposed a photo he was developing. After his first rage he came to his senses and saw it created beautiful, somehow surrealist effects. Upon my word, how great inventions can be spawned by the biggest of mistakes.

My Own Attempts

I did a couple of pastels on Man Ray some 8 years back. Recently I made some, like Roundism – 27-04-20, Clara – 24-04-20, Roundism –  31-03-20, Roundism 29-03-20 and Roundism – 04-04-20. This drawing however differs from the previous ones. There are only straight cubist plains, no roundish forms. In fact it’s a bit of a joke really because there are no roundish forms included this time. However, to keep up with my Roundism formula it’s included in the series under the same name.

Composition

Basically the model was reclining on my bedside. Her body position looked very straight with only two main diagonals: in the arm and the thigh. Overall composition I tried to improved a bit. I added dark blocks in the lower right corner and in the upper left. Next tot his, I also put a diagonal fold in the mid-section to the right. Also some loose folds to the left so the arm would not float too much. It’s about solarization and not surrealism, even though the first often is considered to be part of the latter. All-in all It has become a kind of cross-over of styles from the past. Time will tell what ways I will turn to. Perhaps adding color?

This artwork found its way to an American collector in 2025. Click here to see the blog on this.

Graphite pencil drawing (Sakura 0.5 mm, 4B) on Winsor & Newton Bristol paper (21 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm) – A4 format)

Artist: Corné Akkers