Pewter Beaker c. 1936

Eugene Barrell made this drawing of a pewter beaker on paper sometime in the 20th century. It’s all about the soft gradations of graphite, isn’t it? Look at how Barrell coaxes volume out of a flat surface, building up layer upon layer of delicate marks. It’s a real testament to the quiet power of sustained looking. I love how the sheen of the metal is rendered through the artist’s patient process. Each little mark feels almost meditative, like a form of slow, careful attention. You can almost feel the coolness of the pewter, the subtle play of light on its surface. It’s really all about tone, about how light and dark can describe the form and texture without the need for colour. The beaker reminds me a little of Morandi’s still lifes, that same sense of humble observation and quiet contemplation. Both artists show us how much there is to see in the everyday, if only we take the time to really look. Art is like that, a way of tuning in, of noticing the world around us with a fresh pair of eyes.