Study of a Workman
1874
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a bearded man sitting with his legs stretched out. His left arm rests on a chair, and his right hand grips his knee. The lines are loose and quick, with shadows darkening his face and clothes. The artist focused on rough textures—notice the wrinkles in his sleeves and the folds of his shirt. This style was common in quick studies, where artists captured poses and expressions fast. Look up chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth in drawings like this.