Firelight

About this work

This sketch shows a person with curly hair and a soft face, drawn in loose, smudgy lines. They’re wearing a high-necked dress that blends into the background. The artist left big patches of blank paper around the edges, making it feel quick and sketchy. The rough strokes and smudges suggest the artist was working fast, maybe even by candlelight. This style was common in lithographs, where ink is applied to a smooth stone and pressed onto paper. Next, check out lithography to see how this technique works.