Sleeping Face 1902

Frantisek Kupka made this drawing of a face in repose with crayon, and it really gets me thinking about the nature of mark making, like, how the simplest of lines can evoke so much. The texture is soft, almost like a whisper. Look at the way Kupka used the crayon, hatching and cross-hatching to build up the form. The color is gentle and warm, it’s very comforting. Notice the almost frenetic scribbles around the hair, that give way to the smooth planes of the face, and then the rather clumsy almost childlike bow at the neck – it’s all such a lovely combination of different marks, and feelings. There’s a real sense of intimacy here, like we’re peeking into a private moment. It reminds me of some of the early portrait drawings by Picasso, where line is used in this same way to create mood and expression. Art's just one big conversation, isn't it? A constant exchange of ideas and influences.