Sheet of Studies 1600 - 1700

This drawing, "Sheet of Studies," of unknown origin, employs the straightforward materials of paper and graphite. The artist uses these humble materials in a complex process of layering and sketching, to give form to scenes with figures in dynamic motion. We can see how the varying pressure and density of the graphite lines create a sense of depth and volume, and how the artist returns to contour the figures and forms. The paper's rough texture and the deliberate, yet unfinished quality of the drawing, provide insight into the artist's working method, and their desire to experiment with composition, anatomy, and expressive line work. It reminds us of the labor involved in artistic creation, and the many hours of practice and refinement that lie behind a finished masterpiece. Appreciating the art of drawing involves an acknowledgement of these basic materials and processes.