Study for "Inlet" 1984 - 1985

Graham Nickson's "Study for 'Inlet'" is a drawing composed of graphite on paper. The artist uses simple materials to capture a beach scene in sparse detail, with a focus on the human figures. The immediacy of the graphite medium allows for a direct, almost gestural quality in the linework. You can see how the artist uses the pencil to create shading and texture, giving weight to the bodies. The repeated lines around the figure on the left gives a sense of movement, as though they are captured in the act of changing clothes. The subtle gradations of tone, achieved by varying the pressure on the graphite, help to define the forms. The social context of the artwork is also influenced by the artist's hand and the intimate scale of the drawing, with a sense of privacy about the figures and the artist's observations of them. Ultimately, the drawing reminds us that artmaking is not always about elaborate processes or precious materials. It can be about simple, direct expression.