Monks in a Cathedral
1780
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1780
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three people standing inside a dim, arched stone room. The walls are rough and cracked, with pointed arches and thick columns. Light fades toward the back, leaving the figures in shadow. The artist used quick, loose lines to suggest texture—like scratching with a pen. The brown ink and wash give it a faded, almost worn look. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
