Ingres, David, Degas, Giacometti and Hockney
I'm researching the use of line in drawings made by the above mentioned artists. My initial reaction was that I'm not overly-familiar with drawings made by Ingres and David, and that Degas, Giacometti and Hockney couldn't be more different. But then I felt that it was difficult to really make comparisons with Hockney because his style has changed so much over the years. It is interesting to see variations and levels of experimentation change over the years. I think the reason these artists were selected is so we can make comparisons of the periods... Looking at the progression of freedom and expression, but also at the fundamentals, which haven't changed so much.
Ingres
His line is very clean; very precise. It seems he liked to render facial features, but then torsos are drawn mainly using line alone, and left in this almost, transparent state. His drawings are meticulous and the line quality in some appears very architectural.
David
His style, although similar to Ingres' from the same period, appears a little more traditional and in keeping with the handling of the old masters. It seems he possessed the ability to depict form beautifully with just a few hatched marks.
Degas
I have admiration for any artist who is skilled and imaginative, who will allow his lesser fulfilling works out in to the world. I'm referring to some of his reactive sketches, his preliminary drawings or doodles and it's great that they can be treated as such; taken for what they are.
To this... A drawing that would inspire me to reach for my pencils. There's a solidity in the muscle tone and the line re-appearing from the denser areas is beautiful.
Giacometti
He seemed to enjoy the continuous line, while trying to feel his way around a drawing, finding form. Perhaps a lot of his preliminaries were made for sculpture. His drawings appear rapid and vigorous, but I believe he would return to them and continually amend. Very different from the clean and precise style of Ingres and David. I love Giacometti's work, especially the drawings he has worked and over-worked with some corrective paint... Seeking out those lines he wanted to keep.
Hockey
Hockney hasn't been afraid to experiment, with varying styles and different media. His drawings are no exception. Using Hockney's description, his drawings from the 90's onwards are much cruder, whereas his early drawings from the 60's and 70's and much more refined in the line he has included, and excluded. I'm going through my Hockney books and seeing comparisons between his earlier drawings and drawings made by Ingres... The rendered facial features and line-only torsos. Hockney is one of my favourite artists. Not because I think he is one of the greatest, but because his life is art and he makes it enjoyable. That alone is something to aspire to.
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