Drawings & Pastels

Drawing is a type of graphic art created with lines and areas of tone applied to paper usually with pencil, charcoal and coloured pencil, but a wash may also be applied.

They frequently serve as preparatory studies for other works, but are also considered works of art in their own right. A practitioner of drawing is known as a draughtsman.

Pastels are created using a stick made of pure pigment and a binder.

A key part of the general art market, both are also specialist collecting areas in their own right.


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Gainsborough sketch on offer in Pennsylvania

25 September 2023

The Americana & International sale at Pook & Pook in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, on October 5-6 includes a collection of art from a Delaware estate.

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Willem van de Velde the Younger's ships sail from south London

18 September 2023

A small sketch of two ships in a gale by the leading Dutch marine painter Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633-1707) was among the lots bringing interest at Roseberys’ (25% buyer’s premium) summer sale of Old Master, British & European pictures.

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Honoré Daumier takes on the law

18 September 2023

Among the lots on offer at Sworders’ upcoming Old Master, British and European Art sale is a small sketch of two lawyers by Honoré Daumier (1808-79).

il Guercino drawing

Sir Joshua’s Guercino sketch surfaces Down Under

11 September 2023

The artist and Royal Academy founder Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) was also a major collector, especially in the field of Old Master works on paper.

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Alain Delon: actor and art and antiques collector

14 August 2023

Famous Frenchman has amassed an impressive wide-ranging array of acquisitions over six decades

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Sower reaps benefit of a Millet likeness

07 August 2023

A drawing of Jean François Millet’s (1814-75) most famous image generated unexpected levels of bidding in Alameda, California.

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Newspaper cartoonist Giles attracts serious collecting interest

07 August 2023

In recent times the work of newspaper cartoonists has been reassessed with a nod to its artistic, technical and historical merit.

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Peter, Pietro or Pieter makes his name

24 July 2023

An early 17th century pen and ink drawing of Euterpe, the muse of lyrical music, caused the biggest surprise at Karl & Faber (27% buyer’s premium).

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Lowry depicts street life in pastels

05 June 2023

The 1947 Street Scene with Figures by LS Lowry (1887-1976) is the earliest work so far to appear on the market from a group of vibrant figurative pastels.

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Demand remains high for Mod Brit female artists

05 June 2023

Two works bringing demand at different auctions recently showed the market’s continued appetite for works by Modern British female artists.

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Gorky work from late on

22 May 2023

This late untitled drawing by Arshile Gorky (1904-48) in pencil and crayon on paper was the highlight of a sale of Modern and Contemporary paintings held by Digard (25/20/14% buyer’s premium) on March 28 at Drouot in Paris.

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Picabia combined Fang and females

08 May 2023

This drawing by the Surrealist artist Francis Picabia (1879-1953) had several interesting associations in its provenance.

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Bannermen set to fly high at auction

01 May 2023

Bonhams’ flagship sale of Fine Chinese Art in Bond Street on May 18 includes a rare Qianlong period ink on silk court painting.

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London as seen before the big blaze

01 May 2023

View of the city ahead of the Great Fire was attributed to a Dutch artist who produced several panoramas

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Millet drawing part of Alain Delon sale

24 April 2023

This charcoal drawing of a Normandy milkmaid is one of four works by Jean-François Millet (1814-75) to be included in Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr’s Paris sale of the collection of Alain Delon

Symbolist drawings

Symbolist quartet leads Christie’s drawing auction series

17 April 2023

A six-figure sum for Belgian Symbolist Fernand Khnopff was the top lot of Christie’s drawing-focused sale.

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Latest Lowry drawing shows rise in demand over three decades

17 April 2023

Simple Salford street scene dating from year after he left art school is now at £70,000 hammer price level

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Real money for Lequeu’s fantasy at Drouot auction centre

17 April 2023

The Drouot auction centre was also celebrating drawing week with no shortage of drawings and works on paper on offer.

Hubert Robert drawing

Roman views by artist Hubert Robert drew attention in Artcurial sale

17 April 2023

Also during drawing week, and on the same day and just around the corner from Christie’s, Artcurial held a related art auction.

Salon du Dessin

Buzz returns to Paris drawing week

17 April 2023

Paris works on paper events draw a line under Covid as attendance figures bounce back

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