Thoughts on square canvases...

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1048 Location: Queensland

I am pondering over whether or not to go for a square canvas for a landscape idea. My idea is a cropped vision of mountains (so you dont see the tops or all of the mountains), just a bit of sky in a upside triangle shape. A lake and on the right side the silhouette of a tree with the branches coming up over the top of the canvas and some leaves hanging down from the top left.

I feel in my head the idea works as a square, not so much a rectangle. But I have reservations because square canvases are not that commonly seen.

Here is an image close to what my idea is + the tree

What are your thoughts...idea works better as a square or rectangle? What are your thoughts in general on square canvases and what subject matter are they best suited to?

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3209

I have had a lot of success with square canvasses.
But like any other format, getting the composition right is the main thing.
I think it's a good idea to do some preliminary sketches of your ideas first and if you're happy with them, then go ahead.

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

marri · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 267 Location: Western Australia

Chrissy, I think it would work well in square. As you said "not that commonly seen" - I wonder if that would make it more difficult to sell, if that is your motivation.

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1048 Location: Queensland

Yes Marri, my intentions are always to paint something which could potentially sell. So that is why I am hesitant. I think the idea could work either or really. The only problem with a square are placing things too symmetrical. At least with a rectangle it is easier to offset the focal point. So I would think the focal point would be where the light hits the horizon line and the mountains converge to the point. This I would off centre. And I think the tree helps frame the image making it more interesting.

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1359 Location: Melbourne

I like the square format, most of my work is in the square, you can make any landscape to fit, it's the horizon line you can play around with, you can put it towards the top and have mostly foreground or move it towards the bottom and paint a grand sky. I think if you cut off the left side of the your image to square it up you shouldn't need any leaves hanging down, but the foliage needs some more contrast perhaps a brighter spot in the centre of the image ?

aquadan · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Adelaide

id be hesitant to do landscape on a square, i do other work on square canvas.
maybe turn it 45 degrees and work on a diamond canvas

although i doubt it would sell :/

petero · Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 142 Location: Melbourne

This is one use for square canvases that I've seen

http://mandalamagic.com.au/courses.htm

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Simon Collins does landscapes (and others) on a square format and they work for him creatively and sales wise it doesn't seem to be a problem. Have a look at the 2009 (Going Places) and 2008 (BRO) work, they are all squares
http://www.simoncollins.com.au

pugwash · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 1379 Location: Perth

I think square canvases a fine as long as they are perfectly square. rectangular paintings which are almost square always look alittle off to me.

jarduli · Joined: 19 Jul 2010 Posts: 11

what did they change TV from 4:6 to 16:9?
it just looks more real!

even vertical canvas looks like only half to me!
find on youtube "murder, she wrote" the tv series and you will know what I mean

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

jarduli · Joined: 19 Jul 2010 Posts: 11

if making tv shows is too much watching, be so...

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912