I love acquiring drawings. They are often undervalued but can be absolutely beautiful. Drawings, whether in pencil, chalk, or ink, are mainly small in their overall size since they often come from artist’s sketch books. Let’s look at four drawings recently added to my collection.

Italian greyhounds at play – unknown artist

The above drawing is 2 3/8″ x 5″ (61mm x  127mm). Exquisitely drawn with muscles rippling displaying these two at their cavorting best.

The Red Lion Inn – unknown artist

Here, we have a rural scene displaying the ‘Lion Inn’ (10 3/4″ x 6 1/2″ or 272mm x 164mm) Created in pencil with brown wash to add depth and shadow. I would date this around 1850-1880.

An unsigned portrait of a young man (9″ x 7 1/2″ or 220mmx 190mm). I acquired this at the same time as the engravings by William Arthur Narbeth, so it might be by his hand. I can not say for certain.

To finish, another portrait of a gentleman who is reading a letter (11″ x 8 1/2″ or 275mm x 218mm) . This is signed with what appears to read RJ Hamilton  and dated 1844. Created in pencil/graphite with red and white highlighting.

All four are excellent drawings. I often find that the natural toning of the paper actually enhances the drawings and brings to them an added depth.