George Reynolds
1859
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1859
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a man standing with his back to us, painting a portrait. He’s wearing a suit jacket, plaid pants, and a hat, leaning slightly over his easel. The person he’s painting is barely visible—just a head and shoulders—but the artist’s focus is clear. The drawing uses quick, sketchy lines to show movement and life. The artist’s posture and the loose style hint at how artists worked fast in real life. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shading with lines.
