The Drawing Lesson 1777

François André Vincent created this drawing with pen and brown ink, and brown wash, on paper. Rather than canvas and paint, Vincent chose paper – a more accessible material – perhaps as a deliberate choice that echoes the intimacy of the depicted scene. The application of brown ink and wash, a technique utilizing diluted ink for tonal variations, allows Vincent to build depth and shadow with an impressive level of detail, giving the impression of a finished painting. It gives form to the figures' clothing and their interaction, emphasizing the sentimental mood. The strokes are visible, revealing the artist's hand and the directness of the medium. The drawing represents a departure from traditional academic painting, with its emphasis on the artistic process. By highlighting the act of creation, Vincent blurs the boundaries between the sketch and the final artwork, bringing the viewer closer to the artist's world.