Research - Odilon Redon

Odilon Redon Two Trees c1875 (Charcoal on paper)

When looking at this piece i am instantly filled with both wonder and fear. The way the trees lean in towards each other seems to create a doorway into the blackness behind them. While the way the light reflected off the trunks brings a sense of brightness i am still drawn 'through the doorway' to the very darkness beyond them.

I love the way he captures the texture of the tree bark using such subtle lines and marks and the change in values on the ground to give the picture a sense of depth.

While looking into Odilon Redon i came across many pieces of his work and while i loved his use of colour in pieces such as "Butterflies" and "Buddah In His Youth" i found myself drawn to his "Noirs" phase.

Butterflies, Odilon Redon

Buddah In His Youth, Odilon Redon

The way he portrays such dark mood and atmosphere combined with the surreal creatures, using the charcoal to create subtle tonal changes to give the background depth and bringing the creatures to the forefront makes them almost come out of the paper and gives them a sense of life.

Crying Spider - Odilon Redon

Head on a Stem - Odilon Redon