A Landscape with a River
1584
charcoal
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1584
charcoal
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet riverside scene with two people walking near the water. Tall trees line the bank, and a small wooden bridge crosses the river in the distance. The ground looks muddy, and there’s a pile of logs or wood stacked on the shore. The artist used only charcoal, blending it softly to show light and shadow. The paper has a textured look, like it was made by hand. Next, check out technique: scumbling to see how artists create similar effects.
