'Blot' drawing in progress for 'Hannibal Passing the Alps'
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1750
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This drawing looks like a faded, yellowed map with faint ink marks. The paper is divided into a grid, and there are light brown smudges that could be water stains or intentional blots. Near the bottom center, there’s a small sketch of what looks like a horse or animal, barely visible. The edges are worn, with some cracks and tears. The blots and smudges might be part of the creative process—like accidental ink splatters. The artist used them to build the landscape for a bigger project. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with lines.
