"Long thought of as the neglected stepchild of painting, the art of drawing has recently begun to enjoy a place in the sun. With major museums around the world, from the Met to the Uffizi, mounting exhibitions focused on the art of draughtsmanship, drawing is receiving more critical and academic attention than ever before. This captivating text gives readers a sweeping analysis of the history of drawing, from Renaissance greats like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to Modernist masters like M.C. Escher, Pablo Picasso, and everyone in between"--

Long thought of as the neglected stepchild of painting, the art of drawing has recently begun to enjoy a place in the sun. With major museums around the world, from the Met to the Uffizi, mounting exhibitions focused on the art of draughtsmanship, drawing is receiving more critical and academic attention than ever before. This captivating text gives readers a sweeping analysis of the history of drawing, from Renaissance greats like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to Modernist masters like M.C. Escher, Pablo Picasso, and everyone in between.

The watercolour technique was for a long time the great companion to drawing. A mixture of water and pigments permitting great artistic freedom, it was often employed for preparatory sketches. Albrecht Dürer was one of the first to take advantage of all that watercolour offered. In the 18th century, English artists created of it an autonomous medium freed from academic constraints, an evolution which would have a considerable impact for following generations. Amongst the most famous artists to have produced watercolours, we find Turner, Whistler, Constable, Sargent, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Klee, and Schiele.

"From the early Renaissance through Baroque and Romanticism to Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop, these canonical works of Western Art span eight centuries and a vast range of subjects."--Cover, p. [4].

Celebrate the beauty, diversity and expression of drawing with this second collection in the Strokes of Genius series - 140 examples of the finest drawing being done today. Fresh from the studios and sketchpads of 100 artists, these striking creations run the gamut from highly detailed, remarkably realistic images that were months in the making, to contour drawings, journal sketches and gestures captured in mere minutes. Selections feature original approaches to landscapes, portraits and other classic subjects, along with offbeat inspirations like vintage photos and washed-off watercolor paintings. In these pages you'll find: A vast range of mediums and combinations, including charcoal, pencil, pastel, ink and more An exciting mix of styles and techniques presented in subject-specific chapters: Portraits, Cityscapes, Animals, the Human Figure, Landscapes and Still Life Firsthand perspective on the processes behind the work, offering expert insights on capturing atmosphere, telling a story, finding the right pose, achieving vitality of line, and much more With a special focus on the power of light and shadow, this work has an immediacy that is honest and engaging. Filled with strokes of poetry, precision and passion, this is a memorable collection of art as well as an inspiring survey of techniques that artists use to translate impressions to paper.

Awe-inspiring works by contemporary masters, along with the secrets behind its creation. Drawing is the most intimate and immediate form of self-expression, fundamental to every artist's ability to communicate with a viewer. The sense of energy and expression that can be captured in mere strokes of charcoal, ink, pastel, marker or any of the other modest mediums proudly represented in this book is astounding. A glowing celebration of the art of drawing, Strokes of Genius features styles ranging from meticulous realism to imaginative flights of fancy, from lyrical sketches created in minutes to intricately layered renderings that took months to complete. Includes: • 169 stand-out examples of the finest drawing being done today, selected from hundreds of submissions from around the world. • An impressive range of styles, materials and techniques covering a wide array of subjects, including still life, the figure, animals, landscapes, portraits and more. • Comments from the artists offer firsthand insight on the creation of each artwork, diverse perspectives on drawing, and fresh ideas and techniques. An incomparable source of inspiration and delight for artists and art lovers, Strokes of Genius contains hundreds of combined years of expertise, artistic breakthroughs and, above all, remarkable drawings that leave a lasting impression.