The Happy Family with Children Playing
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1772
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a big, busy family scene. A man in a hat stands tall, holding a child, while others crowd around—some playing, some talking. A woman in a fancy dress sits with a baby, and kids run with toys like a cart and a drum. The background has rough buildings and a cloudy sky, all drawn in quick, sketchy lines. Notice how the artist used lots of shading to show clothing and faces. The lines overlap in some spots, making shadows pop. Check out cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with lines.
