The joy I derive from drawing windows is definitely connected to my love of drawing light and reflections. The shape of a window is always quite interesting to me. I wonder how many panes it has. Is it all right angles or Gothically curved and pointed? Is it deeply set into the building or flush with the exterior? Seeing what is outside the window is always exciting, but equally fun for me is the shadow and light reflections that is cast on the side wall of a window.
Though windows are fixed structures, there is always a lot of change and movement in them for me. These conditions affect the light and shadow cast through the window and can produce an interesting effect on the wall. Windows looking out onto air shafts can be as interesting as a window looking out onto a group of children playing. Different palettes, different shapes.
When I travel, I very much enjoy looking at the windows which are part of the architecture of a particular country. I like the deepset shuttered windows found in Italy and Spain and the finely striped shadows they create; the multi-paned tall windows found in France and Germany are beautiful. Each pane shimmers with a slightly different color and glow.
The Art Deco windows and terraces found in the Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv is a joy to draw.
As cliche as the expression “eyes are the windows of the soul ” might be, I actually see that cliche in a slightly different way. I see it as “windows are the soul of any building, house or structure”.
Closed shades and curtains make me think of hidden secrets; half drawn blinds are like sleepy eyes…and big modern windows give a cold and impersonal feeling… all of which I try to convey via my style and palette.