Constable’s Sketchbook and cloud studies
Constable completed his cloud studies quickly, sometimes short of an hour. These studies built his understanding of light shade and color. He used these skills to represent the sky in many atmospheric conditions. He used his sketchbook and studies to create his final works in the studio.
Constable had periods when drawing dominated his art. ‘Drawing or painting appears to have taken the lead alternatively: painting out of doors in 1802 pencil and watercolor in 1805–6; oil sketching in 1809–12, returning to the sketchbook and pencil in 1813 and 1814. This period, particularly those last two years, was devoted mainly to sketching, gathering the material that would fuel his creative energy for the rest of his working life.
This collection of sketchbook pages allows us to view how Constable used his drawings.
In 1814 Constable spoke of his sketchbook, stating: ‘I have filled as usual a little book of hasty memorandums of the places which I saw which you will see.’ Constable seems to have spent his time out of doors walking and recording nature. In May 1814 he noted: ‘I took several beautiful walks in search of food for my pencil this summer when I hope to do a great deal in Landscape.’ I love the idea of this ‘food’ by putting marks on paper we too can feed our pencils.
