Boat and Encampment (from Sketchbook X) 1885

William Trost Richards made this graphite sketch, “Boat and Encampment,” on paper, sometime in the late 19th century. The immediacy of the sketch captures a specific moment in time, with the artist using quick, light strokes to depict a boat and encampment scene. Richards, known for his detailed landscape paintings, here demonstrates his command over line and form. The graphite marks vary in pressure, suggesting depth and shadow with minimal effort. The texture of the paper also plays a crucial role, its slight toothiness interacting with the graphite to create a sense of atmosphere. What's fascinating here is the relationship between the artist's hand and the world he observed. The sketch embodies a fleeting encounter, transformed into a tangible record through simple means. In its unpretentious materiality, the sketch invites us to consider the act of seeing itself, a raw engagement with the world.