Kinkadō's Album of Drawings by Keibun (Keibun Kinka chō) 景文錦華帖 1898

Matsumura Keibun made this drawing of what looks like a pine branch sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The artwork is part of an album of drawings called "Kinkadō's Album of Drawings by Keibun". The drawing is done with ink on paper. Look closely, and you will see the way the artist varied the pressure on the brush to create both thin and thick lines. This is especially noticeable in the areas where the needles overlap, creating darker, more intense blacks. The drawing has a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. It almost feels like the artist was trying to capture a fleeting moment. There is an incredible amount of work in this drawing, especially when you consider the artist's mastery of brushwork, control of the ink, and subtle composition. This is an example of how traditional craft practices are tied to wider social and aesthetic issues. The next time you look at a drawing or a painting, consider the materials and the processes that were used to make it. The more you know about the materials, the better you will understand the artwork.