Manuel Krappinger 2019

Gazmend Freitag created this drawing of Manuel Krappinger in 2019, using what looks like graphite on paper. It's all about the expressive potential of line, isn't it? Look at the way Freitag uses hatching to build up the tones, especially in the jacket, creating depth and form with these simple marks. The sketch is built up through layers, each mark contributing to the whole. It reminds you that artmaking is about decision-making, a constant process of adding, subtracting, and adjusting. I think that this process is really visible in the hair, you can see the traces of the artist's hand as they experiment with different directions. The texture is subtle but palpable, from the smooth areas of the face to the rougher, scribbled lines of the clothing. It's raw and immediate, and you feel close to the artist and sitter. It's like we're watching the artwork emerge. This reminds me a little of Alice Neel's portrait drawings, particularly in the way the line conveys both likeness and psychological insight. Both artists seem to be after something beyond mere representation, capturing something of the sitter's inner world.