Drawing is one of the oldest forms ofvisual art, with a long and diverse history.
It is widely considered the foundation of all art and the first medium students must master.
However, many artists famous for their color work were also exemplary draftspeople.
Similarly, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres created refined graphite portraits, which are some of his most celebrated works today.
What makes a composition thebest drawingan artist has created?
While it’s subjective, there are some things we can look toward as markers of a great drawing.
Leonardo da Vinci, “Vitruvian Man,” c. 1492 (Photo:Luc ViatourviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
How do the elements of the artwork work together to create something cohesive and aesthetic?
There should be some way in which the composition draws your eye and keeps it on the page.
The other ismastery of medium.
“Praying hands,” pen and ink drawing, 1508 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC0 1.0)
Ink, pencil, charcoal, and collage are some of the most common materials used in drawing.
How well they wield the medium can also make an artwork all the more impressive.
Here, we will explore 12 famous artists who utilized the power of lines in their artwork.
Michelangelo, “The Dream of Human Life,” c. 1500s (Photo:The CourtauldviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Who are the most famous drawing artists?
Learn about some of the greatest masters of the line.
And all of his interests can be found in hislegacy of notebooks.
Michelangelo, “Pietà,” c. 1546 (Photo:Isabella Stewardt Gardner MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
They show how Da Vinci used drawings to think critically as well as solve problems.
He produced engravings, woodcuts, and etchings based on his meticulously detailed drawings.
His mastery over different disciplinespainting, sculpture, architectureis unparalleled.
Rembrandt, “The Windmill,” 1641 (Photo:Art Gallery of South AustraliaviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
At the core of his creative practice, however, was drawing.
Before each painting and sculpture, the Italian artistcreated numerous sketches of the human figure.
It’s magnificent drawing, magnificent.
Rembrandt, “A Child Being Taught to Walk,” 1660 (Photo:The British MuseumviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Before he embarked on a commissioned painting, he created several preliminary studies of his subjects.
These surviving sketches display the Flemish artist’s confident drafting ability.
With just a few confident lines, he could convey gestures and emotion.
Peter Paul Rubens, “Young Woman with Folded Hands,” c. 1629–30 (Photo:Museum Boijmans Van BeuningenviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Turner, Shipwreck, circa 1805 (Photo: David Blayney Brown (ed.
Turneralso produced 30,000 works on paper over the course of his life.
Turner began exhibiting and selling his drawings at a young age.
J.M.W. Turner, “Shipwreck,” circa 1805 (Photo: David Blayney Brown (ed.), J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours,Tate Research Publication)
He later produced everything from topographical drawings to dynamic sketches that were used as studies for larger paintings.
But the Austrian artist was also a master draftsman who utilized strong lines in his compositions.
His striking renderings of the female figure utilize foreshortening and perspective.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, “Portrait of Victor Baltard’s Wife (born Adeline Lequeu) and their Daughter Paule,” c. 1800s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
His draftsmanship captured the movement of dance and the energy of Parisian nightlife during theBelle Epoque.
In fact, he oncesaid, My line drawing is the purest and most direct translation of my emotion.
Edgar Degas, “Two Studies of a Singer,” c. 1870-1900s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Edgar Degas, “Woman Drying Her Left Leg,” 1903 (Photo:São Paulo Museum of ArtviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Gustav Klimt, “Half Figure of a Young Woman,” 1918 (Photo: The Met Museum viaWikimedia Commons,CC BY 2.0)
Gustav Klimt, “Two Studies of a Seated Nude with Long Hair,” 1901-1902 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, “The Jockey,” 1899 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
