Diagram 1 - Amerind Landscape 1979

Roy Lichtenstein made this colored pencil drawing, Diagram 1 – Amerind Landscape, on paper. It's a fascinating example of artmaking as a process of translation. The texture created by the colored pencils is really apparent, you can see each individual mark, almost like a woven surface. Lichtenstein embraces the materiality of his tools, and makes no effort to conceal the handmade nature of his art. He is known for his use of ben-day dots to mimic commercial printing techniques, but in this piece, his touch is more personal. I love the way the primary colors pop against the black and white, creating a bold graphic punch. Look at the red and white stripes that run diagonally across the upper right corner: they are so simple, yet so effective in creating a sense of depth and movement, which is so interesting juxtaposed with the static geometric forms. Like Mondrian, who was also inspired by landscape, Lichtenstein embraces art as an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas.