Ten Men Pulling on Ropes
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows ten men straining on thick ropes, their bodies twisted in effort. The artist drew them with quick, dark lines and light shading. You can feel the pull in their arms and backs. The artist used cross-hatching to build shadows. That means he layered fine lines in different directions to make the muscles look round. Try sketching with cross-hatching yourself next.
![Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/7cd3e8a27787ed92/thumb.webp)
