The Story of Drawing: An Alternative History of Art

by Susan Owens

Drawing is at the heart of human creativity. The most democratic form of art-making, it requires nothing more than a plain surface and a stub of pencil, a piece of chalk or an inky brush. Our prehistoric ancestors drew with natural pigments on the walls of caves, and every subsequent culture has practised drawing – whether on papyrus, parchment or paper. Artists throughout history have used drawing as part of the creative process.

While painting and sculpture have been shaped heavily by money and influence, drawing has always offered extraordinary creative latitude. Here we see the artist at his or her most unguarded. Susan Owens offers a glimpse over artists’ shoulders – from Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Hokusai to Van Gogh, Käthe Kollwitz and Yayoi Kusama – as they work, think and innovate, as they scrutinise the world around them or escape into their imaginations.

The Story of Drawing loops around the established history of art, sometimes staying close, at other times diving into exhilarating and altogether less familiar territory.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Robby F · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely general history of drawing, really interesting the different societal contexts which changed the way drawing was perceived and used. Inspires me to draw more

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im a drawing nerd/ drawing instructor and absolutely loved it.

[Julie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful investigation into the history of drawing. A great discovery.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basic idea of the book is good, but I was a little disappointed that the "alternative art history" mostly just followed the established (western) art history with its canonical great masters, but looking at their drawings rather than the oil paintings that made them famous. I had hoped for some new discoveries. Though I appreciate the effort to include some women artists and at least a few excursions outside the western world.
It's also very much a coffee table book, short texts about each artist, never going much into detail or looking at overarching contexts.