Study of a reclining nude youth
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This sketch shows a young person lying on their side, arms bent under their head. The lines are loose and quick, with some areas filled in with tiny dots. The paper has a warm, yellowish tone, and the figure looks relaxed but a little awkward. The drawing feels like a quick practice, not a finished work. The artist focused on the shape of the body and hands, not details like skin or hair. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how other artists build up shadows with lines.
