This drawing conveys a sense of depth even though at first sight it may appear to be a simple line drawing. I don’t mean depth in the sense of perspective. There’s none of that here. I mean depth in the sense of complexity of perception. The subject matter is easy to read. It’s a plant in a pot and on the table next to it is a figurine. What gives the drawing depth is the variations on the theme of black-gray—and–white. All possible combinations are documented, as if in an encyclopedia: white on gray, white on black, gray on 
white, gray on black, black on white, black on gray. I doubt that the artist/student, Monte, set out with an encyclopedic intention. If he had, the work would probably not be as intriguing and fun to look at. It’s a smart, witty drawing. Uncanny, once you see the play on values, the technical term for shades.
All contents copyright (C) 2010 Katherine Hilden. All rights reserved.
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