(From Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

Thomas Sully made this sketchbook page with graphite on paper, and it's a wonderful example of how a simple medium can capture so much. Looking at the artwork, notice the immediacy of the graphite lines, which feel almost like a quick, visual shorthand. Graphite, essentially processed carbon, allowed Sully to rapidly sketch out figures, capturing their forms and gestures with remarkable efficiency. The softness of the graphite also contributes to the sketch's overall delicate feel. The use of graphite connects this work to a broader culture of drawing and sketching that was central to artistic training and practice in the 18th and 19th centuries. This wasn't about high-flown technique or precious materials, but about practical skills that were vital for any working artist. Sully's sketchbook page reminds us that art-making often involves experimentation, quick studies, and the everyday practice of honing one's craft. It challenges the idea of art as something separate from work, revealing the artist's labor and the importance of process in the creation of art.