Study for "Sorcerer" 1957

Seymour Lipton created this drawing, a study for his sculpture "Sorcerer," with what looks like charcoal on paper. Looking at the image, I imagine Lipton, in his studio, wrestling with the form, feeling his way through the darkness and the light. The jagged marks, the nervous energy of the lines – it's like he's conjuring something, trying to bring a spirit into being. I love the way the marks build up, creating a sense of depth and volume, even though it's just lines on a flat surface. It's not just a sketch, but a process of discovery. Each line probably contributes to a language of its own. You can see him thinking, making decisions, changing his mind. It reminds me that art isn't just about the finished product, but the whole messy, unpredictable process of getting there. It puts me in mind of other sculptors who drew—I wonder if he looked at Rodin?