Sketches of Head, Arm, and Kneeling Figure

George Cruikshank

1835

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

About this work

This sketch shows quick, loose drawings of a man in a tall hat, a kneeling figure, and a few scattered notes. The lines are rough and hurried, with some areas filled in lightly with pink or brown. The paper looks worn, like it was used fast. The handwriting around the edges lists random words—maybe ideas or jokes. The man’s hat is drawn with bold strokes, while the kneeling figure is barely more than a few lines. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shading with lines.