Untitled
1980
graphite
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
1980
graphite
From the collection of Museum of Modern Art
This sketch looks like a quick, rough drawing in pencil. You see a tall, thin shape—maybe a person or a plant—standing next to a pole. The ground around it is just scribbled lines, like dry grass or wind-blown dirt. The whole thing feels unfinished, almost like a first try. The artist used lots of light, fast strokes to fill in the shapes. It’s not polished or detailed, which makes it feel more like a sketch than a finished piece. The drawing has a loose, sketchy energy to it. If you like this style, look up cross-hatching next—it’s a technique that uses layers of lines to build up shadows.