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Sargent's Technique
Sargent's method of drawing was direct and dynamic. Placing a sheet of paper beside his sitter on an upright support, he made a few charcoal marks to map out the proportions of the head and shoulders. After stepping away to compare the drawing and sitter from a distance, he darted back to his paper and added a few more strokes of charcoal. Repeating this back-and forth movement, he gradually built up the drawing.
Sargent used a blending stump or his thumb to merge tones into one another. He removed excess charcoal with pellets of bread and created dramatic highlights by scraping through to the paper beneath. Wielding his charcoal stick swiftly and with bold self-confidence, he imbued his drawings with vitality. The artist often enhanced the lively impression by placing his subjects at an angle to the picture plane and turning or cocking their heads to one side.
Before setting to work, Sargent had a clear image in mind. He decided in advance, for example, whether to use a firm or feathery touch, and whether to darken the background with vigorous charcoal strokes or leave the paper relatively untouched. In this manner, he communicated his conception of each sitter's appearance and character. |