Man with Curly Hair 1872

John Singer Sargent made this drawing, "Man with Curly Hair," with graphite on paper. Sargent uses a humble material—the pencil—to create a powerful impression. The texture of the paper itself is crucial, giving a warm, toothy ground for the graphite to adhere to. Notice how Sargent varies the pressure of his pencil strokes to create different tones, from the light shading on the face to the darker, more defined lines of the hair and clothing. The curly hair of the sitter has been given a vital energy, with a constant hand motion to produce volume and depth. The paper support shows through in many places, helping to give the image a sense of light and air. The simplicity of the materials puts the focus squarely on Sargent's draftsmanship. It is through the use of the pencil, that Sargent transforms an everyday process into a work of art. By appreciating the material and the making, we can see how Sargent elevated the art of drawing to the level of painting.