A drawing describes the visual art process in which a person uses various instruments to mark on a surface. Throughout history, drawing has been the fundamental means by which to communicate ideas visually. Drawing can be abstract or representational. Common drawing tools include graphite, pen and ink, charcoal—colored marking tools of various media. Prior to beginning a painting or sculpture an artist will often make numerous drawing sketches of the subject to be used as a sort of road map or reference for the work underway. Drawing is often the preferred tool that teachers of art students use to promote accurate study of perspective and anatomy.
A crayon made from pure powder pigments and a binder, such as gum or resin. The pigments used in pastels are the same as those used in oil paints. Pastels have been used widely since the Renaissance and major painters including Edgar Degas, Marie Cassatt, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso chose this medium as an alternate to oils at various times throughout their careers. Picasso lobbied the French manufacturer, Henri Sennelier, to produce a better grade oil pastel when supplies were scarce during the post-war years in Europe.
Contemporary art encompasses the art of today, produced by living artists. The art of today benefits from all the previous art movements in history as artists work in a wide array of mediums, formats, and styles, while transgressing art forms: music, architecture, video, performance art, living installations, technology.
Barbara Rachko is an American contemporary artist and author who divides her time between residences in New York City and Alexandria, VA. She is best known for her pastel-on-sandpaper paintings, her eBook, From Pilot to Painter, and her blog, “Barbara Rachko’s Colored Dust.” Barbara has led an extraordinary, inspiring life. She learned to fly at […]