What role do they play in the art market?
In the past contemporary drawings were usually treated as less valuable artworks than paintings. Recently they seem to be enjoying a renaissance among art enthusiasts.
According to Artprice the auction prices for drawings by established artists have been rising for 5 years. The popularity of contemporary drawings is also increasing. What are contemporary drawings? What other kinds of works on paper are popular among art lovers? Which fairs show drawings by contemporary and emerging artists?
What are contemporary drawings?
Drawing is one of the oldest existing forms of visual arts that has evolved through various periods of human history, art movements and theories. It is one of the most efficient techniques of visual communication transporting ideas and emotions through a wide range of motifs, perspectives and techniques. Then and now drawings are continuing to be works of art which use paper as their support. Due to this drawings are usually presented in curated collections alongside other works on paper.
Although drawing has been present throughout many historical periods, its forms started to diversify in the nineteenth century. Starting with the development of technical drawing in the industries like engineering and architecture, further industrial and technological progress encouraged the development of editorial illustration, animation and cartooning.
Artistic drawing established as an independent form of art and often allows an affordable way to purchase a valuable original artwork. While drawings by famous artists belong to the auction masters, contemporary drawings are no longer less valuable than paintings.
Contemporary collages
The term "collage" describes both the technique and the artwork that consists of pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other elements that are arranged and combined on a supporting surface.
The original term derives from the French term papiers collés (or découpage). This technique consisted of pasting paper cut-outs onto various surfaces. As drawings and works on paper began to gain more attention as an art form, collage was recognized as an artistic technique at the beginning of the twentieth century.
A contemporary collage can also include other media like painting, portions of other artwork or texts, contain 3d elements or even be composed digitally.
More and more emerging artists take their own approach and modernize the collage technique transforming even more multidimensional expressions into their works.
Mixed forms and techniques
Over the past decade there has been further public and artistic interest in drawing which has embraced much more than figuration. During the ninetieth emerging artists broke significantly from the tenets of modernism. Contemporary drawing has been energised by the vast distribution and easy sharing of imagery through electronic devices. Internet and social media also keep playing a major part in the artistic growth of contemporary drawing sharpening its way of thoughts, ideas and impulses.
The new variety of artistic options influenced the usage of the traditional instruments like graphite, pencils, pen and ink, various kinds of paints, inked brushes, coloured pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk and pastels. Contemporary drawings and works on paper often feature a new mix of instruments and surfaces like cardboard, wood, plastic, leather and canvas. Especially emerging artists keep challenging drawing as an art form.
Drawings fairs & ehibitions
As works on paper have become a desirable medium for art collectors, more and more well-known art fairs include and highlight drawings as a category. Two younger fairs in Paris, France are even concentrating primarily on contemporary drawings. Drawing Now is oriented towards works of acknowledged artists, DDESSIN is exhibiting the rising ones. Being focused on contemporary art presented by a younger generation of galleries, LISTE Art Fair Basel , Switzerland also exhibits drawings.
Browse some of our artwork collection online and widen your view at your favourite art fair. Contemporary drawings and works by emerging artists provide art lovers an opportunity to buy a unique piece at the fraction of a price of a painting. It's also a way to strengthen a collection of an artist’s work in other media. Take a look at our drawing selection above and get inspired!
