Head of an Old Man 

Editor: Here we have Joseph Highmore’s "Head of an Old Man." I'm drawn to the artist's delicate rendering of the subject's features. What elements of its composition stand out to you? Curator: Note the strategic use of line and shadow. The artist employs contour lines to define form, while areas of wash create tonal variations, suggesting depth. How does this interplay of line and wash affect your perception? Editor: It gives it a sense of volume, but also a sketch-like quality. The curls in his hair almost look like scribbles. Curator: Precisely. The tension between the defined profile and the looser treatment of the hair animates the surface. Have you also observed how the artist guides your eye through the composition using light and dark? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, but now I do see how the artist manipulates the tonal values to draw attention to certain areas. It is truly amazing how much can be conveyed with so little. Curator: Indeed. Such economy of means reveals Highmore's mastery of drawing.