Old tree 

Franz Kobell created this drawing of an old tree at an unknown date, using pen and brown ink on paper. The choice of materials here is important, and quite unlike other artists of the same period. Kobell has resisted the seduction of oil paint, and the fine detail afforded by metalpoint on gessoed panel. Instead, the humble tools of pen and ink are used, and the tree is drawn with a minimum of fuss. The marks on the paper’s surface describe light and shadow, and the aged bark of the tree. Notice how Kobell uses simple hatching to create tonality, a technique that requires precision and control. The repetitive, almost meditative process of drawing each line builds up the form of the tree. Ultimately, the focus on materials, the making process, and the natural subject matter, elevates this work beyond a mere study, inviting us to appreciate the inherent beauty found in nature.