This gorgeous preliminary study by Federico Barocci allows the viewer a rare glimpse inside the creative process of a renowned master who lived and worked centuries ago.
A lesser-known use of charcoal in the context of fine art can be witnessed in the cartoon, a technique widely employed by Renaissance masters to imprint segments of larger works onto walls prepared for painted masterpieces.
These days, everyone seems to be talking about the impact of computers and social media—and handheld devices in particular—upon the human psyche and attention span.
As an aspiring artist, what is your strategy for nurturing self-confidence? Your sense of security in your own ability, more than anything else, will determine your lifelong feelings about yourself as an artist.
Charcoal and graphite can produce some interesting results with the combination of the matte of charcoal and the gloss of graphite. Together, the matte and glossy look creates a unique drawing that can sometimes look different depending on the angle its viewed from. Charcoal and graphite each have their own characteristics and reflect light differently.
When first shown in America, the piece created a stir because of its highly abstract nature: the human form is almost lost in a construction of ladder-like steps and harsh lines.