Drawing Everything

„Alles ZEICHNEN ist gut,
ALLES zeichnen ist besser.“

Blog reader Christian Schlierkamp has helped deconstruct this quote by the great draftsman, Adolph von Menzel.

"Everything (related to) DRAWING (or drawing in general/over all) is good,
to draw EVERYTHING is (even) better."


Menzel did draw everything, from kings to commoners, all sorts of animals, landscapes, and architecture.


Because of this intense encounter with nature, his insights into human character infuse every work. In this drawing etching, notice how the woman smiles shyly as she contemplates lifting the helmet cover of the man in armor. With her other hand, she fiddles nervously with the end of her beaded necklace.
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If you live near Wilmington, Delaware, I hope you can come attend the opening of the Howard Pyle exhibition, where I’ll be giving a digital slide lecture called “Composition: Pyle’s Way with Pictures.” It's free with admission, and it starts at 11:00 AM tomorrow, Saturday, November 12.