Looking up the Cut from Bas Obispo 1912

Joseph Pennell made this drawing called 'Looking up the Cut from Bas Obispo' with what looks like graphite or charcoal, and a whole lot of looking. I can imagine him sitting there, squinting in the heat, trying to capture this monumental slice through the earth, right? The drama of the scene, with its steep cliffs and snaking tracks, is just begging to be drawn. You can almost feel the weight of the earth, the grit of the dust, and the sheer scale of human endeavor. I wonder what Pennell was thinking about, as he made each mark? Check out the way he uses those tiny strokes to create texture, and the way he leaves some areas blank to let the light in. And notice how the tracks draw your eye into the distance, like you’re being pulled into the heart of the project itself. He really makes you feel like you are there. It’s amazing how an artist can take a piece of paper and a pencil and create a whole world, right? We see this scene and bring our thoughts and experiences to the picture. That's the wonderful thing about art, it's a two-way street.