Banks of the Venelle (Bord de la Venelle)
1888
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1888
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet riverbank with tangled bushes and skinny trees. The water looks rough, with lines that swirl around rocks and reeds. The whole scene is in shades of gray, like a faded photo. The artist used a sharp tool to scratch into the metal plate, creating the texture. This method is called *etching*—it lets them layer lines for depth. Next, check out etching to see how artists build up shadows and light this way.
