Vandbærende kvinder og andre figurer ved en brønd. Portugal. 1911

Othon Friesz made this drawing, ‘Water-carrying women and other figures by a well, Portugal’, with ink on paper. I love the way Friesz uses these quick, almost scribbled lines, to capture a sense of movement and daily life. It’s like he’s sketching out an idea, not trying to nail down every detail. Look at the varied textures he creates with just ink. In some areas, the lines are dense and dark, giving weight and form to the figures, like the woman carrying water. Elsewhere, the ink is lighter, more sparse, suggesting background and atmosphere. Notice the little marks around the base of the well? They’re so simple, but they give a sense of depth, of the ground beneath the figures’ feet. The contrast between these different kinds of marks makes the drawing feel really alive. Friesz reminds me a little of Matisse, who also had this knack for capturing the essence of a scene with minimal means. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfection, but about process and feeling.