Reading Lamp 1941

This is Joseph Cannella’s ‘Reading Lamp’, made with pencil and watercolour. The way Cannella used the watercolour is interesting because it’s so precise. Everything feels carefully planned, not accidental. You can almost imagine him sketching out the lamp first, mapping out every line and curve. When you look closely at the lamp, you can see how the artist uses the watercolour to build up the different textures and surfaces, from the smooth glass of the lampshades to the dull gleam of the metal. The colours feel muted and soft. Look at the subtle gradations of colour on the horizontal bar, it gives it volume, almost making it three dimensional. I feel like Cannella really understood how to make watercolour work for him, turning it into something solid and real. It brings someone like Edward Hopper to my mind, but perhaps if he had a gentler disposition. Ultimately, it’s up to you to find your own way through it. Art is about that ongoing conversation, finding your own voice in the mix.