Discover pencil drawings for sale online today. Our carefully curated online gallery offers a range of contemporary pencil art by emerging artists for sale and rental.
Whether you’re looking for a sketch, a study, or a more detailed work, why not start your search with our selection of botanical studies – detailed drawings of plant life.
Our curated selection of pencil drawings and sketches also contains portraits – painstakingly captured drawings of people, which evoke the essence of their subjects.
The History of Pencil Drawings
Drawing is one of the earliest forms of art, having been found on the walls of French and Spanish caves dating back 30,000 BC. In the 17th century, graphite pencils were introduced as a replacement for metallic styluses, which had been used by draftsmen of the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
In 1795, modern pencil lead, or ‘Plumbago’, was invented by French painter Nicolas-Jacques. This allowed artists better control over shade and density and the tool became popular amongst painters, architects and designers.
By the 19th century, pencil drawings existed primarily as a means for artists to sketch preliminary compositions and studies for paintings and sculptures. The medium became increasingly versatile as other fine art pencils were introduced, such as charcoal, coloured watercolour pencils and crayons.
The development of the pencil provided artists with a portable, precise tool for sketching outdoors (en plein air). It allowed for quick, detailed studies of landscapes and fleeting light conditions, which were later used as references for studio paintings, fostering the rise of Impressionistic art.
To this day, pencil drawing is one of the most popular forms of art. With the development of the camera, the photorealistic style of drawing has become popularised – aiming to trick the eye with meticulous attention to detail.
Styles and Techniques of Pencil Drawings
Techniques in pencil drawing include hatching, cross hatching, blending shades together and scumbling – a technique whereby the artist moves the pencil along the surface of the paper in tiny circular motions. These techniques build up depth to create greater realism.
Graphite lead is praised for its versatility: harder and darker leads produce fine lines which make for sharp precision in detailed drawings, while soft and light lead is excellent for modelling and shading. Graphite is sometimes combined with other mediums such as pastels, watercolours and gouache in order to add colourful flair to monochromatic images.
Learn more in our Guide to Drawings.
Pencil drawings for sale on Rise Art
Rise Art’s collection includes pencil drawings from some of the most talented artists around the world. Known for his impeccable realism, Kevin Okafor’s drawings, such as Jasmin’s Interlude (2015), capture the likeness of his subjects with such precision that they are often mistaken for photographs.
For more figural pieces, consider exploring the work of Abbi Torrance. The artist’s deceptively simple works pack a political punch. Using graph paper as canvas, Torrance questions how people are increasingly seen as data, markets and demographics. Artworks such as Totem (2022) also have a spiritual inflection, combining animal, human and botanical parts as a commentary on humanity’s departure from nature.
Finally, the work of Zoe Moss humorously combines traditional realist drawing styles with popular culture and a satirical edge. Her tongue-in-cheek pop-art style drawings offers commentary on contemporary society – such as ”Wonderwoman” (2016), featuring the superhero in a comical workaday pose, carrying shopping bags.
Discover more contemporary artists and buy original pencil drawings online at Rise Art.
