Atlas of the Everyday
NOTE 03 / LOOKING CLOSELY

Surface notes

Texture is a conversation with the light.

Original illustration for Surface notes
An illustrated composition study.

Light across, not into

A rough surface can look almost smooth under frontal light. When the light moves across it at an angle, small ridges and hollows become visible. Change your position before deciding that the subject has no texture.

A familiar scale

A close view may turn a wall or a sheet of paper into an abstract field. Include a recognisable edge when scale helps the picture. Leave it out when the pattern itself is the point.

Avoid the inventory

One clear patch of texture is often more useful than a crowded catalogue of materials. Let a plain neighbouring area provide contrast. The quieter surface is doing some of the work too.