Drawings & Pastels

Drawing is a type of graphic art created with lines and areas of tone applied to paper usually with pencil, charcoal and coloured pencil, but a wash may also be applied.

They frequently serve as preparatory studies for other works, but are also considered works of art in their own right. A practitioner of drawing is known as a draughtsman.

Pastels are created using a stick made of pure pigment and a binder.

A key part of the general art market, both are also specialist collecting areas in their own right.


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Tiepolo at the double

10 January 2022

It is thought that Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) executed at least a hundred drawings featuring the Punchinelli, the hook-nosed, humpbacked clowns which were central to the commedia dell’arte. Jonathan Franks reports.

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Tantalising sketch gives glimpse ‘of a young Francis Bacon’

20 December 2021

Shepeard collection includes a drawing thought to be an unrecorded portrait of the artist

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Shooting over to the States

20 December 2021

Comet depiction is one of the highlights as UK dealers target US sales opportunity

Laura Knight drawing

Nuremberg Trials sketch by Laura Knight in our pick of five auction highlights

17 December 2021

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a Nuremberg Trials sketch by Dame Laura Knight that doubled its estimate at Woolley & Wallis.

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President portrayed in pastel

29 November 2021

Portraits by James Sharples (1751-1811) appear to make less money than you might expect given the calibre of his sitters.

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Agnews offers rediscovered Dürer drawing bought for $30 four years ago

22 November 2021

This unpublished drawing by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) is being offered by art dealership Agnews as part of London Art Week (LAW).

Drawing by Dame Barbara Hepworth

Pick of the week: Hepworth’s gift to friend Barns-Graham

08 November 2021

Connecting two of Britain’s leading 20th century female artists, a pencil drawing by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) given to Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912-2004) as a wedding present was the highlight of Lyon & Turnbull’s recent auction of works from the latter’s collection.

Jean Shepeard portrait

Collection of actress and artist Jean Shepeard offered at Batemans

02 November 2021

Stamford saleroom Batemans is to offer items from the collection of British artist and actress Jean Shepeard (1904-1989) on November 6.

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s Punchinello

Tiepolo drawing emerges from safe at Sitwell family home ahead of Dreweatts' auction

27 September 2021

A drawing from Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s (1696-1770) Punchinello series is among the highlights of the contents of Weston Hall in Northamptonshire.

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Bidders show a longing for Ardizzone at Somerset sale

06 September 2021

A group of works by painter, printmaker and war artist Edward Ardizzone (1900-79) was offered at Lawrences’ latest picture sale in Crewkerne, with eight lots coming from the artist’s family.

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Portrait of George Washington in pastel form emerges at Cotswolds auction

30 August 2021

The Cotswold Auction Company will offer a small lifetime portrait of the first American president as part of a pictures sale on October 19.

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Cyril Fry collection provides a traditional feast at two salerooms

23 August 2021

British watercolours and drawings amassed by dealer came under the spotlight at two salerooms

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Australian pioneer artist John Glover's sketchbook emerges at Ewbank’s

19 July 2021

The British artist John Glover (1767- 1849) would doubtless have faded into relative obscurity had he not chosen, in 1831, to make a new life in colonial Australia. He ended up being dubbed ‘the father of Australian landscape painting’.

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Salon du Dessin back in play at long last

19 July 2021

The Salon du Dessin, the Paris fair dedicated to works on paper, finally staged its 30th edition this month.

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Christie’s sells Leonardo’s head of a bear drawing for £7.5m

08 July 2021

A sketch of the head of a bear by Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) has sold for £7.5m at a Christie’s auction in London.

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Polish artists lead the price list in Buckinghamshire

05 July 2021

Among works by eastern European artists in demand recently, two pictures by modern Polish artists led the sale at a Buckinghamshire auction.

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Duchess daughters reunited via dealer and saleroom

28 June 2021

These pastel portraits depicting Georgiana and Henrietta Cavendish, the two legitimate daughters of Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, are soon to hang side by side for the first time in over a century.

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Salon du Dessin all set for its 2021 return

14 June 2021

Drawings fair will be staged in the usual venue but dealers can also take part online

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EH Shepard art sold in Dallas

14 June 2021

An Illustration Art sale held in Dallas by Heritage (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) included a classic EH Shepard Winnie-the-Pooh work.

A Paris alternative to draw you in

07 June 2021

Although long-standing Paris fair for works on paper the Salon du Dessin has moved its dates to July 1-4, the other Paris fair, Drawing Now, devoted to Contemporary works on paper, usually staged at the same time, is taking place this month from June 10-13.

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