Liggende bok 1934 - 1936

This is Leo Gestel’s 'Liggende bok' a drawing done with pen on paper. Isn't it amazing how just a few lines can conjure a whole creature? The thickness of the line varies; heavy, darker marks seem to anchor the animal to the ground, while the thin lines that trace the body seem to float a little, giving a sense of lightness and movement. Look at how Gestel uses hatching to create a dark area beneath the animal – it’s not just shadow, it's like a little abstract painting that gives the figure a place to exist. It's also fun to see the notes and measurements in pencil under the drawing, it reminds me of how artmaking is just as much problem solving as it is about poetry. Gestel’s drawings remind me of Matisse’s line work, or even some of Picasso’s quick sketches – a testament to the idea that art is really just an ongoing conversation. It doesn't need to be so serious, let's have some fun!