For Tracy Michele, who always sees them first.
"I wish you to consider that I have been speaking of what I wished to accomplish in these pictures, rather than what I have done; for I may have failed in these efforts. I should, nevertheless, be much gratified if you could see them ...."
- Thomas Cole, letter dated May 1828

Monday, May 21, 2012

'studies'


[Jawbone. graphite on prepared paper. 6 x 9". 2012.]

"Drawings may be done simply to illustrate an object so that the artist can learn and understand its shape. Such drawings are called 'studies'. An artist will refer to such studies and then, with some modification, work them into a picture."
- R.W. Alston, Painter's Idiom, 1954.


I have been working in drawing media for the past two or three months, with only a few small paintings, concentrating on soft, subtle transitions between tones. This clay-coated paper from New York Central Art Supply is an ideal surface for working on in graphite. I don't prefer it for silverpoint but for graphite it is really beautiful to work on.