On Long Island 1940

Elizabeth Olds made this image, On Long Island, with lithographic crayon, tusche, and scraper. It is so full of life; the pastel palette makes it look like a sweet scene, but the brush marks are bold and rough, just like life. I love how Olds uses simple, almost crude, lines to create texture and depth. Look at the clouds. Are they moving? It is difficult to tell because the lines are so immediate. Her marks remind me of David Hockney's lithographs – a similarly observational but economical approach to drawing. The physical act of mark-making is so evident, which makes the piece feel very human. The figures in the foreground are great, they are painted as flat shapes, like cutouts. Olds uses different shades of browns, greens, and blues to create an overall sense of calmness. However, the bold strokes keep the eye moving and prevent it from becoming too sleepy! It shows that you don’t need a lot of detail to capture the essence of a place.