Research two contrasting artists

I chose Alphonse Mucha and Ronald Searle as two contrasting artists to show the difference in approach in their drawing.

Alphone Mucha 1860-1939
Study for plate 72 from " Documents Decoratifs" 1902
(pencil with white on paper )
from Mucha's book on artistic theory

Alphonse Mucha
Study for plate 59 from "Documents Decoratifs"
(pencil, watercolour and white on paper)
from Mucha's book on artistic theory

They are both illustrative but both show extreme detail in their approach but in completely ways.

Alphonse Mucha, 1860-1939, is more well known for his art nouveau style and his decorative style of using women surrounded by floral decoration. These two preparatory drawings show his attention to the placing of objects, i.e. how the chairs and placed, the table and it's runner, the plates on the shelf echoing the curves of the chairs and the use of circles within squares.
The drawing on the right shows the intricacies of the detailed leaves and grapes fitted into the objects. The delicate drawing of the silver spoons balances the whole picture with the cutlery at angles leading the eye from one part to another.

"Antique Dealer's Fair"
illustration from " News Chronicle Saturday Sketch book"
( pen & ink and watercolour) 1954
Private collection

The contrast of Ronald Searle's approach is shown in the cartoon of the antique fair.  I particularly love the humour
which pokes fun, gently, to the preciousness of the antiques. The detail is seen in the objects themselves, the chairs, the clock and ornate candelabra. The perspective is exaggerated to make the point of the fragility of whole scenario.

The man with a large jumper over his suit, with a suitably embarrassed look is so well observed. The "coconut stall" with the antique sitting waiting to be hit, shows inventiveness and lots of humour.

"The Dreaded Paperwork"
Illustration for "Lloyds Bank, Exporting for the Smaller Business"
( pen& ink, watercolour and pastels ) 1981
Private collection

The drawing on the left has, for me, great emotive power. Again, the detail is important to give it credibility and the use of the over large pile of paper turning into the torturing demon an example of true inventiveness.









What I like about these two artists is that the first, Alphonse Mucha, is deadly serious about beauty and his portrayal in decoration of natural forms, whereas Ronald Searle is mocking this by exaggerating the precariousness of beauty. In each case the artist has precise control over their skill in drawing but puts it to different use.