Shadowland (Mar-Aug 1923)

Expressionism in Art Progressive stages in drawing, ranging from. the academic to the purely abstract form B;y Alexander P. Couard FIGURE II FIGURE III In the seated figure above, all unessentials, such as modeling and shading, have been eliminated. This outline comes under the head of academic drawing, however, for the human figure is still recognizable. In Figure III there is a further elimination. The lines are broken; regularity of line has given place to the heavily shaded stroke, and thereby a feeling of solid modeling is achieved In Figures IV and V practically all academic form is eliminated, yet when V is compared with Figure III, and IV with Figure II, a decided resemblance can be found. But note how the massing of the blacks intensifies the feeling of solidity and force. The artist considers that an accurate delineation of the human figure is of secondary importance; the vital thing is to feel its strength FIGURE I Above, is an example of the usual academic drawing of the human figure. Art students, since the days of the Old Masters, have been taught to outline the figure accurately, and to give the effect: of modeling by delicate lines and shad-j ings. Eliminate all shading in this sketch} and you have a weak, flat outline, lacking all force and effectiveness FIGURE IV FIGURE V Page Forty-Two