Sketch Book for the Artist

Movement

MOVEMENT IS OFTEN THE CHARACTERISTIC by which we

identify an animal: the fast cheetah, slow tortoise, flapping

bird, or proud, quivering horse. Artists commonly focus

on such actions, taking them to guide their hand in bringing

form and essence together. In these two drawings, made only

a year apart, we see semi-abstract, flattened animals composed

almost entirely of movement. Both Picasso and Klee have

enclosed their subjects to compress and amplify the speed of

their lines and the power of their beasts. In Picasso's drawing,

noise is everywhere. His powdery, dissolving faun kneels

stranded, overwhelmed by a screeching bird, the whinnying

of a frantic horse, and waves breaking distantly below.

Klee's riders are constructed from all the gestures of greeting

mules. The fact that they never stand still influences the move-

ment in his line. His hand must have shuddered and twitched

just like the constant actions of this humorous meeting.

PABLO PICASSO

A prolific Spanish painter sculptor, draftsman,

printmaker ceramicist graphic and stage designer

who lived in France. Picasso cofounded Cubism,

the first abstract movement of the 20th century,

with George Braque (see p90).

Ink and gouache This drawing is made in black Chinese ink

and gouache (opaque watercolor) applied with a brush. The

ink is used to make sharply defined solid, hooked, and scrolled

lines. Gouache is brushed softly in translucent hazy layers of

cool blue, gray, and brown. These media complement and

amplify each other with their brilliant contrast.

Faune, Cheval et Oiseau

1936

173 / 8 x 21^1 / 4 in (440 x 540 mm)

PABLO PICASSO

ANIMALS