Portrait of Renoir, Fourth Plate 1905

Jean-Louis Forain made this portrait of Renoir in 1905, probably using charcoal or graphite. It's all about the subtle gradations of tone, that come from the way the artist layers and smudges the marks, not trying to hide the process but making it the whole point. Look at the way Forain defines Renoir's face and hands – the areas of skin are formed by the negative space between the hatching, so the face almost emerges from the paper's surface. The drawing feels both complete and totally open, like it could change at any moment. It's all about gesture and the energy of the line. I’m also reminded of Daumier, another artist who really understood the power of drawing to capture not just likeness but also the inner life of his subjects. Forain seems to suggest that art is not about capturing a fixed reality but about embracing change.