An Analysis of Beauty

The well known English artist William Hogarth and author of “The Analysis of Beauty”(1697-1764) gave this description of beauty, “Straight is the line of duty, curved is the line of beauty.”    

When searching in my studio for something to draw from life I came across a five inch marble figure I bought in Port-au-Prince Haiti many years ago. I always thought it was beautiful for the graceful curves of the figure, so I set my sights on trying to draw it. I placed it on a stand and gave it direct lighting from one side, thinking this would be a good exercise in a tonal drawing of the human form. With careful observation and comparative measurements I was able to draw a three dimensional figure on a one dimensional piece of paper. The key to showing form is getting values and edges correct. Values range from the lightest light to the darkest dark and the edges range from the softest lost edge to the hardest found edge. With a complete range of values and the careful handling of edges this small Haitian figure communicates, “curved is the line of beauty.”  

With a desire to express beauty and a sensuous human form, I attempted to show with charcoal, hard and soft edges, curvilinear lines and tonal value.

Here’s wishing you beauty in the upcoming season. Happy Spring!