Untitled Drawing 2000

Basil Beattie created this untitled drawing with graphite on paper. The hazy textures and subtle shading give a sense of depth, suggesting the artist used the graphite in powdered form, smudging it across the paper to create blurred lines and shadows. The lines aren’t precise, more atmospheric, and the marks capture a sense of volume through the interplay of light and shadow. If you look closely, you’ll see the marks of the artist’s process: the soft, diffused edges of the graphite indicating hand-application, a direct, tactile approach that emphasizes the physical act of creation. Beattie’s drawing sits at the intersection of fine art and craft tradition. The artist has been very economical with his mark making, but the drawing looks very powerful. Ultimately, the effect of the artwork is to highlight the expressive possibilities inherent in the humble materials of graphite and paper.