Nude 1980

This work, titled "Nude," was created by Ukrainian artist Hryhorii Havrylenko using colored pencil on paper. It might seem like a simple drawing, yet its power lies in its directness and the labor evident in its making. The entire surface is built up from countless strokes of colored pencil. Notice how Havrylenko layers different hues to create depth and shadow, a testament to his technical skill and patience. The cross-hatching technique, where layers of lines intersect, adds texture and volume to the figure. The intense labor involved in this process is not hidden; it's an integral part of the artwork's aesthetic. The drawing's effect isn't just in the image, it is about the process. While seemingly traditional, Havrylenko elevates the humble colored pencil, often associated with childhood or commercial illustration, to a medium of fine art. He blurs the lines between high art and craft. This elevation of process and material challenges our traditional understanding of art.