Merlin Dreams 

Alan Lee's drawing, "Merlin Dreams," employs graphite to conjure a figure steeped in slumber and mystery. The composition is dominated by densely worked lines, creating a tactile, almost overwhelming texture. Note how Lee uses the medium's tonal range to produce a sense of depth and enclosure. The lines mimic organic forms—hair, beard, stone—blurring the distinction between the figure and the natural world surrounding him. This blending evokes a sense of unity, where Merlin is not merely resting, but intertwined with the very fabric of the landscape. The piece destabilizes traditional portraiture through its emphasis on texture and form over distinct representation. Merlin's closed eyes and the heavy shading suggest a movement away from external reality and into an inner, perhaps mystical, space. Ultimately, Lee's focus on materiality invites us to consider the drawing not just as an image, but as an object whose formal qualities underscore the themes of immersion, transformation, and the porous boundary between consciousness and the environment. The drawing's power lies in its ability to make us feel the weight and density of Merlin's dream.