Struikgewas en geboomte 1939 - 2009

Kees Stoop made this drawing, Struikgewas en geboomte, sometime in the 20th century with graphite. Look at how Stoop used the graphite, almost like he was knitting with it. Each stroke builds up the form, a bit like layering paint, but with the directness of drawing. See how the dark areas aren't just filled in? They're made of countless tiny marks, a real testament to the process. The texture is so important here. The way the graphite catches the light, the slight shimmer it gives. It's not just a picture of trees, it's a record of Stoop's hand, his way of seeing. And that one branch reaching out on the left? It's like a question mark, or maybe an invitation to come wander in the woods. This reminds me a little of Alfred Kubin's haunted landscapes, but with a lighter touch. Both artists find a way to make a drawing more than just an image, they make it a feeling. Art is like that, an ongoing conversation.