Drie koppen van kinderen c. 1908 - 1923

These three kids' heads were drawn by Ferdinand Oldewelt, and the sketchiness of the graphite makes it clear that this was a practice piece. It's interesting to see the varying pressure he applied to the pencil. The lines around the faces are soft and light, giving them a gentle, innocent quality. But then, in the shading around the hair and under the chins, he uses heavier, darker lines, creating depth and volume. It’s like he's exploring the different ways he can capture the essence of these children with simple mark making. Look at the kid on the top right. See how the shading almost seems to define their chubby little cheeks and the slight pucker of their lips. It reminds me a little of Käthe Kollwitz's drawings. It’s this incredible way of using a simple medium to convey so much emotion. It’s like you’re seeing the world through the artist’s eyes, and he’s inviting you to feel what he feels.