Study of a Boy; Faces in Profile 

Curator: Let's discuss John Varley's sketch, "Study of a Boy; Faces in Profile," housed here at the Tate. Editor: Immediately striking is the almost ghostly quality; the ethereal sketchiness gives it a sense of fleeting youth. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the materials: graphite on paper. It suggests accessibility, a study meant for exploration, not necessarily a finished, polished product. Editor: The paper itself, its texture and slight imperfections, contribute to the overall sense of immediacy. It really highlights the labor of draftsmanship. Curator: Indeed. Varley’s quick strokes capture the boy’s posture and the planes of his face. Notice how the repetition of the profile allows him to examine the subject's form from different angles. Editor: It's a glimpse into the artist's process, almost like witnessing the formation of an idea on paper. I like the way the composition leads us right through it. Curator: A worthwhile endeavor to scrutinize Varley's draftsmanship, one that helps us appreciate the final form and his creative investigation. Editor: I agree. I’ll certainly look at other studies differently now.