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.


Barbara Hepworth archive

Collection of Barbara Hepworth drawings and working notes sells at Chiswick Auctions

15 January 2025

An archive of annotated sketches and correspondence showing the working methods of sculptor Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) sold for £20,000 at the end of last year.

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Architectural drawings treasure trove helps to build art market optimism

13 January 2025

End of year highlights included specialist collection amassed by couple who were both renowned experts

Attributed To Thomas Loggon (1706 1780), The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells,

Yuletide catalogues from British watercolours to ancient jewellery

20 December 2024

From classic British watercolours to ancient world jewellery, the latest seasonal catalogues issued by dealers offer a wealth of history and ideas.

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Prud’hon nude emerges with noble provenance

02 December 2024

A fine drawing by French Romantic painter and draughtsman Pierre Paul Prud’hon (1758-1823) sold for €190,000 (£158,300) at L’Huillier & Associés (30% buyer’s premium inc tax).

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Dutch drawing and Vietnamese painting both impress at Ivoire

02 December 2024

Pictured here are two strong results recorded in French regional salerooms by members of the Ivoire Group of auction houses.

Design for the Abu Dhabi Mastaba by Christo

Christo design for ‘the world’s largest contemporary sculpture’ sells at Chiswick Auctions

26 November 2024

An original drawing for the project that Christo (1935-2020) intended as his only permanent, large-scale public artwork emerged at a recent Chiswick Auctions sale.

Churchill Portrait By Paul Trevillion, Signed By Churchill, Set For Auction Credit Hansons

Signed Churchill portrait more than doubles estimate

21 November 2024

The pen-and-ink drawing by Paul Trevillion was personally signed by the former prime minister at his offices in 1955

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Mr Toad stars in a Shepard original sold at Forum Auctions

18 November 2024

Wind in the Willows illustration leads varied selection of lots offered by west London saleroom

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Fierce foursome: drawings show talent and power of Tiepolo junior

04 November 2024

Like his younger brother Lorenzo, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727-1804) learnt his art in the studio of his father Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

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Rare Christopher Wood drawing of Paris footbridge walks into North Yorkshire sale

04 November 2024

In 1920 the artist Christopher Wood (1901-30) came to Paris, having been invited by the French collector Alphonse Kahn.

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Iolo Williams collection shows how connoisseurship ensures quality

04 November 2024

A collection of watercolours amassed by the expert Iolo Williams found appeal despite the challenging market

Ronda, Andalucia by David Bomberg

David Bomberg views of Ronda catch the eye at Sworders

15 October 2024

Works by David Bomberg (1890-1957) are a valuable proposition at auction, especially those with an attractive Spanish subject.

Louis Wain Christmas Shopping

Collection of Louis Wain sketches make five figures at Parker Fine Art Auctions

09 October 2024

Christmas came early for one Louis Wain vendor as drawing of cats shopping for turkey fetched a five-figure sum in Surrey sale

Pablopicasso (1881 1973), Carnaval Au Bistrot. Paris, Ete. 1908, Watercolor On Paper, 22.5 X 21 Cm, Courtesy Patrick Bourne Co.

Master Drawings New York announces dates for 2025

08 October 2024

The 19th edition of Master Drawings New York is expected to feature more than 20 exhibitors from New York, London, Paris, Madrid and Brussels

Wind In The Willows

EH Shepard Wind in the Willows illustration among Forum Auctions sale highlights

02 October 2024

A selection of important British works were on offer at Forum Auctions, including these four highlights that hammered over estimate

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Dealer Dickinson offers ‘early Michelangelo’

30 September 2024

London dealer Dickinson is offering what it says is ‘the one of the most exciting old master discoveries to have been made in recent decades, and is an important addition to the small group of extant drawings by Michelangelo’.

Winston Churchill portrait

Trevillion's 'favoured' sketch of Churchill emerges at Hansons

24 September 2024

A Winston Churchill (1874-1965) portrait personally signed by the former prime minister heads to Hansons on November 20.

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Art Market: Results leave you feeling cocky

23 September 2024

Recent picture highlights at auction include works by artist renowned for his poultry depictions and writing on the subject

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Monet sketchbook draws the eye

23 September 2024

Studies include caricature-like portraits which were an early preoccupation of the young artist

Bastille sketch

Contemporaneous sketch of the demolished Bastille makes $1.6m at Freeman’s Hindman

10 September 2024

A sketch which was given by the Marquis de Lafayette to the first American president George Washington sold for $1.6m (£1.22m) at an auction in Philadelphia earlier today.

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