The History of Drawing

The history of drawing has origins as vague and ancient as the first rupestral paintings of Prehistory. It would nevertheless seem that it was the Romans who developed the first process that resembled the methods of today. They drew using a metal point dipped in a mixture, generally made up of pigments, whiting, gum Arabic, and powdered bone.

During the Renaissance, artists drew the main lines of what was to be their work before beginning it, or simply presented their sketches to possible clients. The 17th century proved to be a period of great developments in drawing, since new techniques were being invented by renowned artists, such as Poussin or Rembrandt. In the modern world, we are witnessing the advent of the comic strip and the technological advances which will enable drawing to pursue it evolution.