Koninklijk Paleis te Amsterdam c. 1935 - 1936

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this sketch of the Koninklijk Paleis in Amsterdam with what looks like a graphite stick. He's all about those expressive marks, capturing the light hitting that massive palace. I imagine him standing there, maybe a bit nervous about capturing such a grand structure. Look at the nervous lines, how the palace almost vibrates off the page. It's not about getting every detail right, but more about feeling the scale and presence of the place. What was he thinking, standing there sketching? The cross-hatching gives it such a feeling of depth, and you can almost feel the texture of the stone. These choices can be so personal. And think about the hundreds of years of artists making sketches - each one a unique take on the world. Like we are all in a big conversation together.