Arthur Streeton (Smike) 

This is Tom Roberts' pencil drawing of Arthur Streeton, nicknamed "Smike". The structure of the composition is strikingly simple: a profile view against a blank background. What stands out is Roberts' ability to evoke volume and texture with such economy of means. Notice how the varying pressure of the pencil creates subtle gradations of light and shadow. This technique defines the contours of Streeton’s face and the density of his hair and beard. The lack of background eliminates any narrative context, focusing our attention solely on the subject's features. This reductive approach invites us to consider the drawing not just as a likeness, but as an exploration of form and the materiality of the medium. The sketch is thus reduced to its formal and structural components. This reduction enhances the drawing's intrinsic qualities, pushing us to appreciate the interplay between line, tone, and the very essence of representation.