Mountainous Landscape 

This sketch of a mountainous landscape was made by Mark Rothko, using ink on paper. It's a simple choice of materials, and a quick method, almost journalistic in its immediacy. What's interesting is the stark contrast between this rapid approach, and the deeply meditative quality of Rothko's more famous abstract paintings. Here, he uses the most basic of tools – ink and paper – to capture a scene, yet the energy of the lines convey more than just the mountains' appearance. The marks are full of repetition, and you can see how the pen moves back and forth, back and forth, to create depth and shadow. This kind of mark-making is a form of labor, a direct physical engagement with the world. While it appears informal, this kind of study and practice lays the groundwork for Rothko's later, more celebrated work. Remember, even the most abstract art has roots in real-world encounters and hands-on processes. By looking closely at the materials and methods, we can gain a deeper understanding of any artwork's meaning.