Kollwitz on Drawing

Kathe Kollwitz attribution from "Voicing our Visions", by Mara R. Witzling

1867-1845

"During these years too, she began to understand that the graphic arts, with their dependence on tonality, suited her better than painting. Stauffer-Bern had recognized her extraordinary talent in graphic media and a pamphlet written by Klinger in which he asserted that some subjects, particularly those embodying the darker sides of life, were expressed more appropriately through drawing than through painting....she was deeply influenced by Klinger's defense of the primacy of drawing."p150, Drawings: Self Portrait & Municipal Shelter 1925-26

Arthritic Hand

I stopped drawing in May because of an arthritic right hand. Unfortunately, I still hold a pencil in a childlike grip, and never developed an "open hand" style of drawing. Now, at this age my hand cramps easily....I am conditioning my hand and attempting a more open grip but have a lot of relearning to do. Just one more reason to begin classical training at an early age. My hand doesn't hurt as much when I paint...consequently I am switching to a charcoal dust and kneaded eraser style. Time will tell.....