Geometry of Sitting (Michael in an Irish kilt)

The intern says: Michael posed wearing a traditional Irish kilt which became a simple geometric mass that balanced the bright red shirt and helped organise each composition. The wooden chair and stool play an equally important role, providing a framework of vertical and horizontal forms against which the figure settles. Together, the three acrylic paintings explore how a restrained arrangement of colour and shape can convey the character of a pose, while the five-minute charcoal drawing reduces the same ideas to a handful of economical marks.

Michael in Irish Kilt I, by Stephen Clively, acrylic on oil sketch paper, 59.4 cm by 42cm, 2026

The intern says: This frontal view places greater emphasis on the relationship between the figure and the stool beside him. Broad areas of red, black and blue are balanced against one another, while the face is described with a small number of decisive planes. The painting relies on strong value contrasts rather than detailed modelling to establish form.

Michael in Irish Kilt II, by Stephen Clively, acrylic on oil sketch paper, 59.4 cm by 42cm, 2026

The intern says: The composition is anchored by the large dark shape of the kilt, offset by the warm yellow chair and the cool blue background. Michael's slightly turned pose introduces a sense of asymmetry, while the simplified treatment of the clothing allows the eye to move easily between the figure and the surrounding geometric forms. The result is direct and economical.

Michael in Irish Kilt III, by Stephen Clively, acrylic on oil sketch paper, 59.4 cm by 42cm, 2026

The intern says: Michael is shown in profile, his arm resting on the back of a chair while the dark kilt falls as a single uninterrupted shape. The contrast between the red shirt, pale timber chair and blue-green floor establishes the composition before attention moves to the figure. The simplified background allows the posture and quiet balance of the pose to dominate.

Michael in Irish Kilt - drawing, by Stephen Clively, charcoal (and conte crayon) on cartridge paper, 59.4 cm by 42cm, 2026

The intern says: This five-minute drawing captures the essentials of the pose with a restrained vocabulary of line and tone. Charcoal establishes the figure, chair and clothing with confident, economical marks, while touches of brown conte echo the warmth of the chair and introduce a subtle colour note. The drawing concentrates on the weight of the seated figure rather than surface detail, demonstrating how a few carefully placed lines can describe both structure and character.