Bandontwerp voor: N.S. Ljeskow, De onsterfelijke, 1965 before 1965

Karel Thole made this cover design for ‘The Immortal’ in 1965, using what looks like ink on paper. What I love about this piece is the directness and the way the drawing reveals the process of its making. Look at the lines around the figure; they’re so immediate, almost like he was sketching in real-time. The ink is applied with different pressures. It’s thick and dark in the figure's torso, giving him weight and presence, but then it’s light and scratchy around the edges, suggesting movement and a kind of ghostly impermanence. See how Thole uses these contrasts to create a sense of depth and texture? It’s almost like he’s sculpting the figure out of thin air. The buildings behind the figure are particularly interesting, rendered with quick, confident strokes that suggest form without being overly detailed. I’m reminded of the work of Aubrey Beardsley, in the way he balances bold, graphic elements with delicate, almost ethereal lines. Ultimately, this drawing is about the push and pull between what is seen and what is felt.