Self portrait 

Joan Brull made this self-portrait with graphite or charcoal on paper. The tones are carefully smudged and blended, giving a soft, atmospheric quality, with the darkest areas delineating his hair and beard. A few quick strokes indicate the fall of light on his face and shoulder. The medium itself encourages a certain immediacy. Unlike painting, which requires the careful layering of pigment, drawing allows for a more direct translation of thought to paper. But don't let the apparent effortlessness fool you. Brull likely spent hours refining his technique, learning how to control the pressure and angle of his drawing tool to achieve the desired effect. He has rendered the portrait with careful attention to the nuances of light and shadow. This speaks to a commitment to the value of skilled labor, not so different from the artisanal traditions of craft. Brull elevates this humble medium through his skill. In doing so, he reminds us that true artistry lies not just in the subject matter but in the mastery of the medium itself.