Ralph Goings - 'Donut'

Question 1

MATERIALS/ TECHNOLOGY 1

Answer 1

Goings used oil paint in “Donut” because it is a slow drying material and he could paint back in to the piece using a wet on wet technique. This helped ensure there were no visible brushstrokes, making objects like the glass jug look more realistic.

Question 2

materials / tecknology 2

Answer 2

Small brushes were used to create realistic texture on the objects such as the crumbly flaky texture on the donut in the centre midground. This texture helped achieve a photorealist finish.

Question 3

Techniques and working methods 1

Answer 3

Goings took a photograph of the scene, projected it onto canvas and pencilled in the lines before adding paint to create ‘Donut`’which allowed him to capture accurate perspective which we see on the spoon in the midground.

Question 3

materials / technology 3

Answer 3

Goings used a limited palette to achieve accurate colour and tone on the manmade objects in Donut meaning he had to mix his own colours which he matched to his reference photo.

Question 4

techniques and working methods 2

Answer 4

Goings used thinned down oil paint to create an underpainting and establish the colours on each object which helped make the colours as real and accurate as possible, especially on the ceramic objects such as the cup and plate.

Question 5

techniques and woeking methods 3

Answer 5

Throughout the painting process Goings used his photo as a source of information to reference the shape, colour and tone of the objects. However, at a certain point he put the photo aside and continued with the painting until it looked “right” to him.

Question 6

scale 1

Answer 6

The dimensions of the painting are large scale with small objects like the ripped sugar packet painted larger than they are in real life which is typical of the Photorealist movement and their desire to highlight aspects of everyday life.

Question 6

colour 1

Answer 6

The natural palette used in Donut adds to the realistic look of the painting as the objects are the colours they are in real life.

Question 7

scale 2

Answer 7

The large scale nature of relatively small objects such as the jug with sugar packets in the background forces the viewer to examine everyday objects in a different way as the scale gives them more importance.

Question 8

scale 3

Answer 8

The objects are large scale and in proportion to each other ie the cup is larger than the spoon which adds to the realistic visual impact the painting has.

Question 9

colour 2

Answer 9

The blue tones in the reflection of the coffee in the cup suggests daylight and supports the relaxed mood and atmosphere.

Question 9

colour 3

Answer 9

The pink colour is repeated on the Sweet ‘n Low packets in the fore and background which helps to lead the viewer through the piece.

Question 10

colour 4

Answer 10

The warm, natural colours on the donut contrast with the white paper bag, plate and table and helps to make the donut the focal point of the painting.

Question 11

subject matter 1

Answer 11

The use of everyday, unstaged objects such as the ripped sugar packet to the left mid ground provide a snapshot of everyday American life.

Question 12

subject matter 2

Answer 12

The untouched nature of the donut and coffee, with no bite or drink taken from them creates a mood of anticipation or pleasure for this snack.

Question 13

subject matter 3

Answer 13

The spoon placed diagonally in the centre of the painting acts as a leading line and leads the eye from the foreground to the background of the piece.

Question 14

mood and atmosphere 1

Answer 14

Mundane, everyday objects in a regular setting such as the cup and sugar packets sitting on a diner table create an informal mood and show a casual atmosphere.

Question 15

mood and atmosphere 2

Answer 15

The untouched nature of the donut and coffee, with no bite or drink taken from them creates a mood of anticipation or pleasure for this snack.

Question 15

mood and atmosphere 3

Answer 15

The viewpoint, slightly from above looking down at the diner table makes it feel as if you are sitting at the table anticipating your coffee and doughnut.

Question 15

mood and astmospheree 4

Answer 15

The natural light reflecting off the shiny table in the background creates a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Question 16

style 1

Answer 16

‘Donut’ belongs to the photorealism movement where all of the objects are painted to look like a photo. Goings rejected expressive, painterly styles in order to capture reality exactly, successfully shown in Donut.

Question 16

style 2

Answer 16

The use of everyday, unstaged objects such as the ripped sugar packet to the left mid ground provide a snapshot of everyday American life, which is typical of photorealism.

Question 17

style 3

Answer 17

Realistic use of colour and tone to create texture such as the crumbly nature of the donut or the smooth surface of the table is typical of photorealism where artists looked at surface texture to create a sense of reality.

Question 17

social and cultural 1

Answer 17

Goings grew up during the Great Depression which influenced his subject matter. He painted everyday, inexpensive items such as the diner scene in Donut as this could be accessed by anyone.

Question 18

social and cultural 2

Answer 18

Goings drew inspiration from his working class American background, focussing on the everyday aspects of life, from buildings to commonplace food, as seen in Donut.

Question 19

social and cultural 3

Answer 19

While Goings went to art school during the Pop Art era, he rejected the graphic style of Pop Art in favour of the accurate and lifelike style of Photorealism, which we see clearly in the highly detailed finish of the glass jug and coffee cup in Donut.

Question 20

social and cultural 4

Answer 20

However, the commercial influence of Pop Art can be seen in Goings work. He frequently uses commercial products that are easily identifiable, such as the Sweet n’Low packets in the painting. This helps his work appeal to a wide audience.