Graphite

Graphite

Graphite is a metallic grey writing and drawing material, primarily used in pencil form. However, artists also use graphite powder for drawing.

Graphite can be combined with pigments to produce a wide array of colours. Nowadays, it comes in various particle sizes and shapes, offering artists the ability to create different levels of darkness, textures, and perspectives, expanding the diverse applications of the medium.

Historically, artists kept sketches, sometimes referred to as esquisses, for personal use as inspiration and ideas for larger works. These sketches were considered preparation for the 'final' artwork. One limitation of the graphite pencil is its monochromatic nature and susceptibility to smudging, prompting artists to view it as a tool in the artistic creation process.

Today, graphite is commonly referred to as a 'pencil,' or occasionally a 'lead pencil.' This nomenclature emerged because, before the discovery of graphite, lead had been used for writing since ancient times. Graphite was initially believed to be a type of lead until 1779 when K.W. Scheele, a Swedish chemist, determined that the material in pencils was, in fact, a mineral form of carbon. The name 'graphite' originates from the Greek word for writing. The term 'pencil' is derived from the Latin word for brush, 'penicillium.'

12 results found for "Graphite"

interview

And the Oscar for Best Movie Poster goes to…

We speak with Hollywood’s favourite poster artist James Jean about art, film and a new category for the Academy Awards.

And the Oscar for Best Movie Poster goes to…
article

Nigel Howlett: The Face Before You Were Born

A solo show debut in London marked a tangible moment of inflection for Nigel Howlett and his faceless figures. In parallel, we collaborated to archive works from the show with a series of limited edition books and hand-finished prints.

Nigel Howlett: The Face Before You Were Born
Artist

William Mapan

French artist William Mapan (he/him) was born in 1988 and is currently based in Paris.

William Mapan
Artist

Ryan Travis Christian

Ryan Travis Christian (he/him) was born 1983 in California, USA. He currently lives and works in Chicago, Illinois.

Ryan Travis Christian
Artist

Nigel Howlett

Nigel Howlett was born in 1979 in Croydon, UK, and now lives and works in London.

Nigel Howlett
Artist

Mike Lee

American visual artist Mike Lee was born in 1983 in Placentia, California, and now lives and works in New York.

Mike Lee
Artist

Robert Nava

Robert Nava was born in 1985 in East Chicago, USA, and now lives and works in New York.

Robert Nava
Artist

Aya Takano

Aya Takano was born in 1976 in Saitama, Japan, and now lives and works in Tokyo.

Aya Takano
Print

BLOOM

With a blossoming symbol of growth and renewal, Marcela Flórido explores the beauty of self discovery. Playful, sensitive, bold – Flórido’s first print edition, BLOOM, embodies her intentions as an artist. The edition is based on a large-scale painting from 2022, an experiment in symmetry. Flórido foregrounds her cartoonish pseudo-self, a recurring subject for her recent artworks. She draws from a wealth of art historical references, from Modernism to Baroque, Hilma Af Klimt to Tarsal do Amaral, culminating in a vibrant exploration of selfhood. Each print has been uniquely hand-finished by the artist with flowers in a variety of colours, patterns and mediums, inviting collectors to connect with their print on a deeper level.

BLOOM
Sculpture

CHATTE PARFAITE

30 unique artworks form an ensemble of grinning bronze cats by Ryan Travis Christian.The devilish cat originates from Christian’s drawing Cut Dick, depicting a row of cats standing in hell. In a sculptural re-imagining, each cat holds a framed graphite drawing, riffing on vintage rubber-hose animation.Spanning loaded themes such as gunplay, medication, self depreciation and dizzying abstract patterns, each drawing is a dive into the artist’s mind. With a plethora of satirical connotations attached to each illustration, Christian hopes for the viewer to determine what story each cat holds.Please note that works from the edition will be randomly assigned.

CHATTE PARFAITE

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    Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.