Lady of 1860 - The Actress

About this work

This sketch shows a woman in a long, old-fashioned dress. The fabric has lace at the neck and cuffs, and the skirt is full with a layered, ruffled look. She’s holding something small in her left hand and stands sideways, facing left. The lines are loose and quick, with some shading to show folds in the dress. The artist used dark lines and smudges to suggest light and shadow without much detail. The sketch feels like a quick study, not a finished portrait. Next, check out scumbling to see how artists create texture with soft strokes.