Platter c. 1937

This is Joseph Sudek's "Platter," made with graphite and watercolor on paper. What’s so great about this drawing is the level of precision and softness happening at once. It’s as if the artist is mapping out the contours of this platter while also allowing the watercolour to bloom and fade. You can imagine Sudek delicately layering the washes of gray and blue, building up the shadows and highlights. The floral pattern around the edge is so detailed; a delicate dance between control and letting go. I wonder what kind of brush he used? I think about the relationship between drawing and ceramics. Both require an understanding of form, surface, and the interplay of light and shadow. It reminds us that everything we see, everything we touch, is the result of someone’s vision and labor.