Independent creative notes at katherinerichards.com
A short session for a small visual study.
Choose one familiar arrangement and one relationship worth examining. Make a first attempt, change a single choice, and keep a useful comparison.
01
Find the observation
Look at an ordinary object or arrangement and write what specifically holds your attention. A gap, a shadow, or an edge is more useful than a broad subject label.
Make a rough first record before adjusting the scene. Include enough surrounding space to preserve the relationship you noticed.
02
Choose a constraint
Keep the format, the materials, or the palette stable for a few attempts. Decide which single choice will change between versions.
Write the rule in plain language. A clear constraint makes the comparison easier to describe afterward.
03
Make the comparison
Place two versions beside each other and explain what became stronger, quieter, clearer, or less certain. Describe the effect before deciding which one you prefer.
Keep an unresolved version if it reveals a useful question. A finished appearance is only one possible reason to retain a study.
04
Leave the next question
Write one experiment for another session and save it with the studies. Choose a change small enough to make without reconstructing the entire setup.
Return to the question before searching for a new subject. Familiar material can support more than one useful line of inquiry.