Studio Trolley with Paintbrushes 1971

Avigdor Arikha made this drawing of his studio trolley with paintbrushes with ink on paper. I find it interesting how Arikha uses these loose, almost scribbled lines to build up the scene. It's like he's thinking out loud with his pen, letting the marks accumulate until a still life emerges. Look at how the dark, thick lines create a sense of depth, while the lighter, sketchier ones suggest the play of light on the objects. There’s something immediate and physical about the way he’s handled the ink. You can almost feel the speed of his hand as he captures the everyday objects of his studio. See how the concentration of marks forms the glass jars and bottles, giving them weight and presence. I'm reminded of Morandi, who spent his life looking at and arranging the same bottles in his studio, trying to capture the essence of the real world through his art. Ultimately, art is about embracing the unknown, trusting the process, and allowing the unexpected to emerge.