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.


Red chalk drawing

‘Unknown study by Michelangelo for the Sistine Chapel’ to be offered at Christie’s

25 November 2025

It is apparently not unusual for Christie’s to receive approaches from people claiming to have a work by a great Renaissance master.

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Anne Clark discoveries underline market strength

17 November 2025

The sale of Chinese and other Asian Works of Art at Semley Auctioneers in Shaftesbury, Dorset, included the largest known group of works by the artist Mrs H Clark.

The Valley Farm, Flatford by John Constable

John Constable chalk sketch brings demand at Roseberys

12 November 2025

A sketch by John Constable (1776-1837) held in a private collection for almost two centuries sold at almost double its top estimate at Roseberys’ latest sale of Old Master, British & European Pictures.

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Leonora Carrington sketch for mural now in Mexico City nets $70,000

10 November 2025

Drawing for mural design was first thought to be a lithograph

Rembrandt drawing

Will Rembrandt’s lion drawing roar at Sotheby’s?

07 November 2025

If it sells, it will become one of the most expensive drawings ever sold.

François Flameng picture

Rare and evocative First World War scene brings ‘far and wide’ interest at Leicestershire auction

07 November 2025

Among the most interesting works on paper sold in the autumn sales around the UK was a First World War scene by a French artist.

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Drawings lifted by Constable and van Dyck connections

27 October 2025

A couple of intriguing pictures offered as ‘attributed to’ major artists drew interest at Wotton Auction Rooms’ (20% buyer’s premium) latest quarterly fine art sale.

Henry Moore chalk caricature

Henry Moore captures fellow sculptor in chalk form

06 October 2025

Catherine Southon’s October 15 Fine Sale in Chislehurst includes this chalk caricature of the sculptor Cecil Gunthorp (1893-1983) done by one Henry Moore (1898-1986).

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Hitchcock sketch presented at auction

06 October 2025

Long before it became the signature for the 1955-62 television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the director had perfected his self-portrait: an economic sketch of his profile rendered in just a couple of lines. Hitchcock would regularly draw and sign them for fans.

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Aronson sets the scene for a surprise dramatic bids battle

06 October 2025

American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer Joel Grey (b.1932) is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the master of ceremonies in both the Broadway and film versions of the musical Cabaret.

Building an Airfield, Pegu (Burma) by Thomas Hennell

Dealer Sim supports Thomas Hennell museum showcase

29 September 2025

A museum show on war artist and poet Thomas Hennell (1903-45), marking the 80th anniversary of his death, has been put together with the help of Modern British art dealer Andrew Sim of Sim Fine Art.

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Wainwright memorabilia keeps hitting the heights

22 September 2025

A rare collection of personal correspondence from fell walker, author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright (1907-91) walked away to a new owner in a timed online sale that ended on September 7.

Portrait by Rosalba Carriera

Rosalba Carriera portrait sets auction record at Cheffins

17 September 2025

Underlining the current demand for works by female Old Masters, a portrait of an English MP set an auction record for the Italian artist Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757) at Cheffins.

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Collection of prominent Perth couple provides a piece of Australian history

15 September 2025

Portrait of first governor of Western Australia stands out in a 745-lot auction offering colonial-era items

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

Beatrix Potter hops into auction as Schuster collection comes to Dominic Winter

02 September 2025

What is thought to be the largest and most comprehensive private collection of Beatrix Potter memorabilia ever assembled comes for sale in the autumn.

Edward VII by Emil Fuchs

Edward VII drawing gets stamp of approval from bidders

22 August 2025

If this small portrait of Edward VII looks a bit like a postage stamp, that’s no surprise.

Edward Burne-Jones by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Rossetti sketches including Burne-Jones portrait turn heads in Norfolk auction

04 August 2025

Two works catalogued as ‘circle of Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)’ caught the attention at a recent sale at Keys (25% buyer’s premium) in Aylsham, one creeping over estimate but the other smashing it spectacularly.

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Quaker connections outlined in a fascinating collection sold at auction

21 July 2025

Manuscripts underline the overlapping lives of families in northern England and their extensive travels

Stanley Spencer portrait

Stanley Spencer ‘personal’ lots sold at Dreweatts auction

14 July 2025

Billed as ‘the last opportunity to own something very personal from the family’s own collection’, a group of drawings, paintings, letters and memorabilia relating to Sir Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) came to auction from one of the artist’s descendants at Dreweatts.

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Early Japanese sketches and photos reveal ‘the dress, manners, customs and country of the people’

30 June 2025

Sketches at the Time of the Commencement of British Intercourse with Japan, an album containing 76 watercolours and drawings and 126 wood engravings from the last days of the Edo period, sold for £16,000 at Dominic Winter (22% buyer’s premium).

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