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.


Edgar Degas study of the Borghese Gladiator

Bidding contest over gladiator sketch as Edgar Degas’ youthful drawing brings strong interest in Paris auction

24 March 2017

Among the many auctions devoted to Old Master, classic and modern works on paper that have been taking place during Paris’ drawings week was Christie's small, single owner auction of drawings from the studio of Edgar Degas.

Salon du Dessin

Salon du Dessin draws the art crowd in Paris

22 March 2017

It was back to the drawing board in Paris this week, or rather the drawings fair. The vernissage of the Salon du Dessin, the city's longstanding and well respected drawings fair, opened for its 26th edition on March 21.

Furio Rinaldi of Christie's

Christie’s appoints Old Master drawing specialist in New York

19 January 2017

Christie’s have appointed Furio Rinaldi as associate specialist in the Old Master Drawings department in New York.

Andrea del Sarto drawing

Andrea del Sarto drawing chalks up €3.2m at auction in France

20 December 2016

A rediscovered chalk portrait by Andrea d’Angiolo, called Andrea del Sarto (1486-1530), has set an record for any Old Master drawing sold at auction in France.

Leonardo

Leonardo drawing estimated at €15m to appear at French auction next year

13 December 2016

A newly-discovered drawing that has been attributed to Leonardo da Vinci will be offered by Paris auctioneers Tajan next year, estimated at €15m (£9.62m).

William Rothenstein portrait

On offer in Oxford – William Rothenstein’s portraits of the Arts & Crafts home

02 December 2016

An archive of family drawings by Sir William Rothenstein (1872-1945) forms part of Mallams’ December 8 sale in Oxford.

Stijn Alsteens of Christie's

Ex-Metropolitan Museum curator joins Christie’s as head of Old Master drawings

27 October 2016

Christie’s have appointed the former Metropolitan Museum curator Stijn Alsteens as international head of the Old Master drawings department.

Agostino Ciampelli drawing from Brian Sewell collection

New attributions for Brian Sewell’s Old Master drawings at Christie’s

24 August 2016

A series of Old Master drawings from the collection of Brian Sewell have had their attributions upgraded in advance of the auction of the late art critic’s collection in London next month. They include two long-unattributed works that have now been ascribed to named 16th century Italian artists.

Augustus John drawing of Jacob Epstein

Augustus John drawing of Jacob Epstein sells for £80,000 at Nottingham auction

23 June 2016

A rediscovered Augustus John (1878-1961) pencil drawing of his friend Jacob Epstein sold for £80,000 at Mellors & Kirk in Nottingham.

Paolo Veronese drawing

Veronese drawing blocked from export after £15m sale

31 March 2016

An important drawing by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) that changed hands in a major private sale has been temporarily stopped from leaving the UK.

Shining a light on rare sketches

23 February 2016

Sotheby’s London will be showing hundreds of previously unseen jewellery drawings in a one-off exhibition from February 18-March 8, sourced from a privately owned collection of jewellery and silver.

Works on Paper Fairs

2016 Works on Paper Fair at the Royal Geographical Society

12 February 2016

Six images from this year's Works on Paper Fair at the Royal Geographical Society. Held at the venue Exhibition Road for the first time, the event runs from February 11-14.

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Gainsborough sketch surfaces in Ruislip

15 June 2015

Auctioneers Bainbridges of Ruislip are selling a chalk and gouache drawing attributed to Thomas Gainsborough.

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Poohsticks becomes leading children’s picture

19 December 2014

One of the best-loved of all of E.H. Shepard’s illustrations to the famous A.A. Milne books has set a saleroom record after selling for £260,000.

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French sleeper awakes as drawing points to Greuze

10 October 2014

The name Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805) was mentioned as the possible hand responsible for this unsigned 18th century French charcoal and chalk drawing that leapt from lowly expectations to sell for £320,000 (plus 22.5% buyer’s premium) at Toovey’s of Washington, West Sussex on October 8.

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Benjamin West drawings take a combined £112,000

12 August 2014

Two drawings of Old Testament subjects by the American-born portrait and history painter Benjamin West (1738-1820) proved the highlight of the latest sale of Old Masters & 19th Century Works on Paper at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions’ saleroom in Mayfair.

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Chapman Brothers sketch in charity auction

30 June 2014

This postcard sketch by the Chapman Brothers is one of a large number created by well-known figures in art, sport, music TV and film to raise money for Action Against Cancer and the Brain Tumor Charity Silas Pullen Fund.

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Lowry’s people on a promenade

14 March 2014

A sketch by LS Lowry will be offered at Peter Wilson of Nantwich in Cheshire on May 1.

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Ivon Hitchens sale is a cut above

05 March 2014

EXHIBITION – In 1956, the woodsman Ted Floate met Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979) quite by chance but ended up managing the artist’s estate while also helping with framing and even giving other technical advice.

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Christie’s to offer important Old Master drawings collection

27 February 2014

Christie’s has announced a major consignment of Old Master drawings which will be offered over the next two years in a series of sales in London, Amsterdam and Paris.

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