Cliffs along the Normandy Coast
1856
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1856
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows jagged cliffs rising straight out of choppy water. The rocks are rough and layered, with shadows clinging to their edges. A small boat floats far below, tiny against the waves. The artist used only black lines and shading to create depth, almost like scratching into the paper. The clouds above are just as rough as the cliffs, blending into the sky. Look up technique: chiaroscuro next to see how light and shadow work like this.
