It is difficult to accurately define drawing in the development of the visual arts, as it has greatly evolved through various historical periods, art movements and theories. There is indeed an array of drawing types, including children's chalk drawings, editorial illustrations, nude drawing, portrait, drawing in animated films, caricatures, animal drawings…

However we can agree on the fact that drawings are all works of art which usually use paper as their support, regardless of the technique used. Drawing has earned its place among the noble visual arts and it is the first thing that students are taught how to do at schools of Fine Arts. Knowing how to draw and sketch is essential for any artist or illustrator throughout their career. In the words of the great master Alberto Giacometti: “Drawing is the basis of everything."

Drawing is undoubtedly one of the oldest forms of human expression with the use of pictographs dating back as early as Prehistoric times. Although drawing has been present throughout all the ages and in particular in Asia where it was commonly used, its forms and uses started to diversify in the 19th century. Thanks to the significant industrial growth of the 19th century, technical drawing (or industrial drawing) began to take off and clearly differentiated itself from artistic drawing. As a result, it has become highly codified and its objective is to convey very precise information about how something should be manufactured or used. Fashion illustration shares a similar purpose. Drawing is also used for architecture and design…

Asides from its more practical uses, it has also become a form of artistic expression. Although drawing is often perceived as the subject's outline, in contrast with the work's coloured surface, and not thought of as a work of art in its own right, it is well and truly one of the most accomplished forms of artistic expression, in the same way as painting or sculpture. From figurative to abstract art, drawing is now available in a multitude of different styles and has earned its reputation as an art form. For example, 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch, one of the most famous and expensive artworks (it was at one time the most expensive work of art in the world!) is a drawing which mixes pastels and oil painting.

Artists employ a range different drawing techniques. Drawings can be created with ink, gouache paint, watercolours, pens, marker, pencils, charcoal or felt-tip pens - but whatever the medium they are always on paper. A drawing can be geometric or abstract but it could also be figurative or hyperrealistic.

Buying a drawing with Artsper means owning an original modern or contemporary artwork. All types of drawing are available, whether they have been made by emerging or well-established artists. So don't miss out on artwork by some of the biggest names in contemporary art, including Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Hans Hartung, Philippe Pasqua and Robert Combas.