Drawing

Drawing is a technique of visual representation on a flat medium. Historically, the pictogram was the first form of drawing, it appeared during prehistory. Drawing is often considered as the ancestor of writing, indeed, it allowed men to express their thoughts on a support.

Drawing is often described as a "cosa mentale" (thing of the mind) or a means to an end, a project, an idea.

It is probably during the Renaissance that drawing acquired an important place in art, indeed, at that time artists drew with precision and talent. Leonardo da Vinci left behind fabulous drawings, we can also salute the initiative of Giorgio Vasari who was at the origin of the creation of the Academy of Drawing, which was presided by Titian and Michelangelo. In Italy, the term "Disegno" meant both the practice of drawing, the project and the intention.

It was in the 19th century that drawing was considered a work of art in its own right, before it was only a means to prepare or study a composition. This change was also due to the rise of industrial production, which distinguished artistic drawing from technical drawing.

Drawing has continued to evolve and diversify with many techniques: charcoal, pencil, pastel, felt pen, watercolor, gouache, brush, pen and so many others...

Nowadays, the drawing can have many functions in the creative process of an artist, it can be a finished work or simply have a preparatory role, an efficient way to organize a composition.

Sketches are characterized by their rapidity of execution, they are drawn in front of the subject represented. Sketches are the first ideas put on paper for a more important work. The studies are generally more elaborate, they are generally used for learning or to represent a specific element of a project or a subject, for example: a hand, a column...

Moreover, there are many types of drawings: technical drawings, architectural drawings, fashion drawings, sculptor's drawings, press drawings, caricatures, cartoons, comics, children's drawings...

Here is a small selection of quotes on drawing: 

"Drawing is the basis of everything." Alberto Giacometti

"Singing is to speech what painting is to drawing." Duke of Levis

"Drawing is not the form, it is the way of seeing the form." Edgar Degas

The Art Shortlist team is pleased to present a selection of drawings by modern and contemporary artists. This shortlist has been composed by our team, it mixes many drawing techniques. Discover these creators from all over the world, famous and emerging artists to know.

By buying a drawing on Art Shortlist, you will be guided step by step in your purchase, our team is reactive and listening to you to answer all your requests. We will be very happy to give you information on one or more of the arthortlist drawings.

Now that you know more about the drawing and our selection, we wish you a nice discovery of the Art Shortlist !