Young Girl Leaning Forward in a Chair, Looking to the Right 

Mark Rothko made this drawing of a young girl in a chair with pen and ink on paper. Look closely and you'll notice the qualities of the drawing are described by the texture, weight, color, and form. The application of pen and ink involves techniques of hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations and a sense of depth. Each stroke involved a deliberate choice, which influenced how the figure takes shape on paper. The artist's focus on the figure could reflect the social context, and the rise of industrialization during the 20th century. In the art world, drawing is often seen as preliminary, a sketch to be surpassed. But understanding the process and materials here helps us see the intention of the artist in his craft. It challenges the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.