Old Ramon 1901

Frederic Remington made this drawing, Old Ramon, with colored pencil. Look at the way he uses the pencil, so sketchy, like he's trying to capture a fleeting moment. You can almost feel the movement, the horse's breath, the man's quiet strength. The colors are muted, earthy, like they’ve been bleached by the sun. The horse is a reddish brown, but Remington doesn't just lay down one flat color. He builds it up with layers, letting the white of the paper peek through. The man's clothing is similar, a muted green that feels both natural and worn. I like the way the shadows are just suggested, a few quick strokes of darker color. Check out how he uses color to define the forms of the horse. The way he sketches the mane and tail with this light touch that evokes a sense of movement, like the horse is restless. To me, it’s like Degas used to make with pastels. There's something so intimate and immediate about it. It’s less about perfection and more about feeling.