Silver Tankard c. 1936

Horace Reina made this Silver Tankard sometime in the 20th century, using graphite on paper. Look how the tones softly graduate from light to dark - Reina must have spent a lot of time layering those marks to create the illusion of a reflective metal surface. The paper is smooth, so the marks are probably made with a fine grade of graphite and a steady hand. You can almost feel the cool smoothness of the metal, but it is all made of marks - tiny, careful, loving marks. The care that went into rendering this everyday object is kind of touching. Look at the little flourishes on the handle, and the ornate hinge - Reina seems to take real pleasure in the making. The drawing reminds me of the work of Vija Celmins. Like Celmins, Reina reminds us that realism is not about copying the world, but about the patient, loving act of mark making.