Portrait of A Japanese Girl 1919

Alexandre Jacovleff drew this portrait using charcoal. It's a traditional medium and the artist uses it in a very traditional way. The sepia color comes from the charcoal itself. You can see how he uses broad strokes for the sitter's kimono and quick, lighter strokes to suggest the shape of her face. He's not trying to trick the eye into seeing lifelike details. Instead, he focuses on capturing the essence of her form and the texture of her clothing. The work involved is evident in the layers of charcoal. It is almost like a craft process of building up the image with each stroke, line, and shade. It's easy to see Jacovleff's skill, but don't overlook the labor involved. The making of art has always been a kind of work. It deserves our attention, just like any other kind of making.