Camel 

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this dynamic drawing of a camel with ink on paper. The seemingly spontaneous quality of this drawing is deceptive. Note the artist’s assured strokes that build up the camel’s form. Look closely at the varying line weights achieved through skillful penmanship, creating depth, volume and texture. See how the artist rapidly sketched the animal, capturing its essence and its presence. The choice of ink as a medium lends immediacy to the drawing. It is economical, and portable – suitable for a sketch done in the field. The artist’s training in printing techniques may explain his familiarity with ink’s fluidity, and his ability to capture detail with swift strokes. In Steinlen's hands, what could have been a quick sketch transcends its material origins to become a testament to the artist’s draftsmanship and careful eye. It bridges the realms of casual observation and refined artistic expression, inviting us to look closely at the interplay between process, skill, and the animal form.