Surrealist painters, especially Margritte, were an influence as they both juxtaposed imagery together in strange ways, placing objects in situations or settings you wouldn't typically see them in. This is seen with the subject matter of the two violins floating above a body of water.
Mitchell also uses visual puns quite often which influences his work, giving titles to paintings which bestow the image with a double meaning or humour. The name 'demonstration' in this context suggests that the violins are showcasing their love and feelings for each other is a grand display.
Cultural/social/other influences
The Dutch and Spanish still life painters of the 16th and 17th centuries are also a big influence for Mitchell as his work has the same highly refined execution as theirs and he also uses symbolism to convey his thoughts, opinions, or emotions. This is evident in the use of violins to represent two humans in a loving embrace, to symbolise the beauty of love.
Mitchell's work is hugely influenced by human interaction and the connections that humans form. This can be seen in the positioning of the violins as they are being used to symbolise two humans embracing each other, tied with a ribbon of their love.
Scale
The piece is fairly large in scale so that the violins are the same size as they would be in real life, this enforces the powerful impact of the painting as the real-life size of the violins corresponds to the real-life emotions that are being represented by the violins.
The violins are very large in scale compared to the rest of the painting, because is you saw violins floating above the sea in real-life, they would be much smaller in size. This draws your eye to the violins and the actual purpose and message of the painting.
The ribbon binding the two violins together is very thin in comparison to the large violins. this represents the fragile emotions that tie the two beings together, which are symbolised by the violins.
Material handling/working methods
Mitchell will have set up the objects in 'demonstration' in his studio, creating a composition arrangement, before lighting to best emphasise the highlights and shadows of the violins.
Mitchell paints the picture by establishing the different tonal areas within the background, before working into the instruments with initial light and dark shades to create an accurate shape and form of the violins.
Material handling/working methods
Mitchell initially paints with fairly large brushes to cover areas quickly and create the background, before decreasing in brush size and using finer brushes as he works into the violins to create an accurate and more realistic texture.
Mitchell starts all of his paintings by using several coats of primer to create a smooth surface for the paint to be applied to. This technique allows him to create smooth blends of colour to portray the texture, highlights, and shadows of the violin in a natural and realistic way.
Subject Matter
Mitchell has a large collection of all sorts of objects such as scrap yard and beach combed items, musical instruments, bric-a-brac, and stuffed birds that he uses in his pieces.
His use of violins in 'demonstration' is typical of the still life objects he uses, however he depicts these to represent the human form and promote his thoughts about current events.
The way Mitchell positions the violins in an upright position differs from the traditional use of objects as a part of still life imagery and creates a sense of human form and behaviour from these inanimate objects
Style
Mitchell's style is very naturalistic, though not simply representational, this is seen in 'demonstration' with the realistic impression of the violins and the accurate setting of the sea.
The upright positioning of the violins creates a human-like stance that is surreal as well as very figurative and realistic.
This creates an unexpected view for the observer as it is something we are familiar with, but present in a different context. This is true of many of Mitchell's pieces.
The realism in the instruments comes from his skill in the smooth handling of the paint and tonal accuracy.
Shape
Mitchell has observed the curved shapes within the forms of the violins, recording both the hourglass-like shape and form of the violin to accurately create a realisticimpression.
The simple view of the sea contrasts against the curved shapes of the violins which emphasises the subjectmatter and draw the viewer's eye to he violins.
Colour
Mitchell has used realistic colours within the violins, using rich, warm, brown tones to illustrate the wood of the violins.
Mitchell has then contrasted the warmth of the violins with a sky blue colour in the background. This has the effect of enhancing the view of the violins, making them stand out, and drawing the viewer's eye to them.
The the ribbon tying the violins together is red which connotes love and passion. This suggests the feelings that the two human represented by the violins share.
Line
The line created by the ribbon leads the viewers eye up the painting and establishes the violins as the main focal point.
The violin strings create lines that lead the viewers eye up the painting.
Form
Mitchell has portrayed 3-dimensional form in the violins by observing and recording the front and back view of the objects, creating a solid depth to them.
Mitchell creates a sense of depth to the sea because Mitchell has painted in a way that runs the water away from the viewer. This leads the eye into the background and creates an impression of perspective.
Tone
Mitchell has portrayed the tone within the scene to a realistic level we feel we could stretch out our hand and touch the violins.
Tone has been applied smoothly across the instruments with the colours blended to give a polished feel to the wood.
The sky is a darker, more vibrant blue at the top of the painting and becomes lighter the further down the painting, becoming white where the sky and the sea meet, creating a horizon effect.
Texture
Mitchell has created a smooth, shiny, glossy effect for the wood of the violins to create the impression that they are varnished wood.
Mitchell has painted the violins in a way that gives the effect of grain on wood, creating a more realistic and natural effect.
Mood & Atmosphere
Mitchell creates varied moods within his paintings including surreal, poetic, whimsical, ironic, or thought-provoking. In 'demonstration' we get the feeling that the violins are two lovershugging one and other.
This creates a powerfulmessage about how strong love can be between two people, a bond that ties them together for life.
Composition
The piece only has one main focal point which is the two violins, this creates prominence and adds to that important element of the image.
The violins have been placed upright and back-to-back in order to create a sense of humanform within the objects, helping to create the image of two people in a loving embrace.
Pattern
The pattern created by the waves on the sea helps to distinguish between the water and the sky in the background of the painting as well as leading your eye up the painting to emphasise the two violins in the centre of the piece.