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.

Footing the bill: Michelangelo drawing for the Sistine Chapel makes $23.1m at Christie’s

05 February 2026

A previously unknown study of a foot for a figure in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling drew remarkable bidding at Christie’s, making one of the highest ever prices for an Old Master drawing.

Rembrandt’s lion drawing takes $15m bid at Sotheby’s

04 February 2026

A Rembrandt (1606-69) sketch of a lion set the highest price for a drawing at auction by the artist when it sold for $15m (£10.9m) at Sotheby’s in New York today.

Study: Fighter Affiliation by Walter Thomas Monnington

Royal Air Force Museum buys wartime aerial studies at Roseberys’ auction

28 January 2026

The Royal Air Force Museum has purchased two preparatory drawings for major wartime paintings by Walter Thomas Monnington (1902-76).

London specialist takes Nordic works to New York showcase

23 January 2026

Swedish artists are especially prominent in show staged by first-time exhibitor at Master Drawings

Rare unpublished Hans Baldung drawing emerges in France

20 January 2026

A small drawing by Hans Baldung (c.1484-1545) which has been in the same family for over 500 years will be offered at auction in March.

‘Springboard at the start of the year’

16 January 2026

London Art Fair stands out as a key early opportunity to showcase works to a domestic audience

The original drawing for the winning design of the FA Cup in 1911 is coming to auction with saleroom Budds

15 January 2026

A drawing giving a first glimpse of the now instantly recognisable trophy from the oldest national football competition in the world will be offered at auction next month.

Bidders overlook condition issues as drawing flies to 50 times estimate in Gloucestershire

06 January 2026

Despite suffering from water damage, wear and loss to the sheet as well as chips and cracks to the later 1950s-style frame, a head study of a bearded man brought intense competition at a recent sale at Wotton Auction Rooms.

Do book collecting terms fox you? Pick up a Searle at auction

05 January 2026

An original illustration for one of the most entertaining works on rare book collecting hammered for £15,000 to lead Mallams’ latest Modern Art & Design auction.

Shepard pooh-poohed the idea

19 December 2025

Illustrator famous for helping to bring alive the beloved bear preferred his other commissions

Greaves goes down by the Chelsea riverside

15 December 2025

Two views of Chelsea Old Church by Walter Greaves (1846-1930) emerged at different salerooms in recent months.

George II baskets top Krouse silver at Brunk

08 December 2025

Sale of collection with superb furniture included high-quality 18th century items in a different field

‘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.

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.

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

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.

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