Two Grotesque Heads
1514
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1514
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows two odd-looking faces drawn in quick, rough lines. One head is turned slightly away, holding a small flower near his mouth. The other face looks forward, with a big beard and a high collar. The paper has a yellowish tint, and the ink is dark but uneven. The artist focused on wrinkles and strange expressions, making the faces look almost funny. These sketches were often used to practice drawing real people in a looser way. Try looking up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
