Delicate Arch is one of the most iconic rock formations in Utah, and arguably one of the most iconic in the world. It has been the subject of countless photographs, paintings, drawings, and many other art mediums. Living so close to the Arches National Park, I’ve had several opportunities to visit Delicate Arch. I’m continually amazed by nature’s ability to create such a stunning design.
When pursuing my goal of sharing our beautiful outdoors through art, I chose Delicate Arch to be my first piece. Through my process, I went through several iterations of style and angles. Unlike humans, I doubt the formation has a bad side.
As an artist, Delicate Arch presented itself with many design decisions. What angle should I use? Do I include any background or foreground? I even wrestled with the angle of the arch. While sketching ideas, words of a former art professor rang through my head, “Who’s stronger, you or the still life?” The principle was to reinforce our responsibilities as artists to create good designs. After finalizing the direction and face of the Arch I wanted to illustrate, I found myself constantly tilling my sketches. I felt like it was leaning toward one side. I ended up rotating the arch slightly counterclockwise and did not include the background, as it would have shown a slightly skewed horizon line.
Prints of my pen and ink illustration are available for purchase.