John Minton’s illustrations are very striking! I wanted to see more of them, so I bought Elizabeth David’s book Mediterranean Food published in 1950, in which we find Minton’s illustrations that accompany the recipes. Then I decided to draw one of his illustrations – the frontispiece for the chapter on “Substantial Dishes”. Minton confines himselfContinue reading “Space and Substance”
Category Archives: line drawings
Time Was Away
It was the simplicity of line that drew me to this illustration on a book cover of a travel book, published soon after WWII, with drawings by John Minton. I loved the way he builds up the picture with layers of lines – and no better way to get to know a person’s style thanContinue reading “Time Was Away”
Gallery Pig
I came across a delightful charcoal drawing of pigs, made by the artist and professor, Allen William Seaby, which he sketched one camping holiday in the New Forest. I was at the St Barbe’s Gallery, Lymington, and although you can’t take pictures of the exhibits, they support you sketching any image. So I did aContinue reading “Gallery Pig”
Wildsmith’s Lines
I have pretty much always loved books, but this summer I became entranced by the illustrations you find on book jackets. Beginning with the marvellous book The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920-1970, by Martin Salisbury I have really started noticing what wonderful works of art there are on the front covers of books. So I haveContinue reading “Wildsmith’s Lines”
Tension Lines
After walking all morning in a beautiful place with Cadair Idris, Wales, in the distance, I decided to get my sketch book out. It felt very daunting to draw the landscape in front of me, so I thought ‘Just start’! I liked the foreground of the leafless hawthorn tree with the mountain behind – notContinue reading “Tension Lines”
Marc Chagall – line drawings
I have been reading Chagall’s autobiography which is so interesting, not least because of the lovely line drawings that accompany the text. The bold and broken lines give a jittery feel, a movement to the scene that at any moment might change: Grandfather might soon get up from reading his book, put on a jacketContinue reading “Marc Chagall – line drawings”
What’s in a line?
I came across Picasso’s animal line drawings and thought what lovely fun pictures they are. An owl, a horse, a penguin, and his own dachshund called Lump. With one or maybe two lines he has captured not just their shape, but also a certain personality. They are delightful! I thought I would have a goContinue reading “What’s in a line?”
How to Write About Art 