Study sheet_ Heads 

Fritz Bamberger made this study sheet of heads, using graphite pencil, and some brown ink wash. It seems that Bamberger was trying to capture the essence of human character through quick, repetitive sketches. The choice of graphite on paper speaks to the immediacy and accessibility of drawing as a medium, compared to the more considered and expensive process of painting. Graphite allows for rapid mark-making and easy correction. The swiftness of the medium complements the subject matter, in what feels like an informal, and personal exploration of different characters and expressions, rather than a formal portrait. The study sheet format is a glimpse into the artist's working process, an intimate look behind the scenes of the work and labor involved in image making. It challenges the idea of the artist as solely a creator of finished artworks, and instead foregrounds the importance of practice, experimentation, and the value of craft in art.