Tom Huck's Possum Promenade

Well, though tardy with my entry I feel that late is still better than never.

Tom Huck's Bloody Bucket series contrasts with his 14 Days in August series. I see much more use of high contrast and extensive use of white lines in the August prints. Over all he incorporates a lot of movement in his complex pieces. I chose to focus on the Bloody Bucket print titled Possum Promenade.
Within this detailed composition Huck has mastered the use of line, implied line, shape, pattern and value to achieve movement, flow, texture and dimensionality. The small figures behind the table with their hat brims all in a zigzag line define the top background. Contrasting the light brick wall with the solid black floor adds further dimension and a foundation for overlapped objects and figures. Huck makes use of repeated lines, patterns and gesturing forms to help move the viewer's eye through his composition. I particularly noted the dotted headband in conjunction with the mouth on the central dark broom. More repetition is evidenced by the ess shaped contours of many shapes, specifically possum tail on the left and the smoke across the woman's back. This smoke shape is also mirrored, in a way, by her garter. Strong straight lines of broom handles and table help define depth and areas of the print. Yet they are controlled through careful positioning of body parts so the eye can't easily escape the composition. The faces are well defined with fat cheeks and evocative expressions. Value is used effectively to portray texture as well as definition and dimension. I could go on and on but won't.

Margaret Raymond