Landscape drawing (untitled), Franklin Booth
Link is to Outside Logic, from this page of Franklin Booth drawings. I don’t know of a reference to the title or use of this drawing as an illustration.
Golden Age American illustrator Franklin Booth developed his brilliant and unique style of pen and ink illustration from the mistaken assumption that the illustrations in his favorite books and magazines were drawn in pen and ink rather than being wood engravings.
He is renowned for his dramatic fantasy themed illustrations, but his less well known drawings of quiet domestic interiors and simple landscapes are also wonderful examples of his style.
I love the foreground tree in this drawing, simple and unassuming, but brilliantly composed. Its lacy form, delicate branches and distinct areas of black and white are melded together into a harmonious, naturalistic tree shape, and yet are so delightfully stylized as to be a treat for the eye on several levels.
It’s particularly interesting how Booth has swirled the lines of the cloud forms around and through those of the leaves and branches.
Related posts:
Eye Candy for Today: Franklin Booth ink drawing
Franklin Booth (update)
Franklin Booth
One of the greatest mistakes in art history and look at what it gave us. I wish I could have been there to see the look on his face when he was told or came to the realization! Not just value or texture but such great character in his drawings.
lovely drawing, another discovery, thank you!!!!!! i have followed your site for a long time with great appreciation.
Thanks, David. I love his story of “mistake made more than good”.
Thanks, Marlene. Glad you’re continuing to enjoy the site.
I remember a tree drawing of his that I copied religiously at least 5 times as a youth. It seemed like some kind of magic that someone could actually draw like that.
Franklin Booth: sixty reproductions from original drawings, with an appreciation, is one 1925 book by R. Frank
Franklin Booth: Painter with a Pen, is another book.
http://fleskpublications.com/flesksite/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=60
Thanks, Bill. I know what you mean (grin).
Painter with a Pen is superb, as is Franklin Booth: American Illustrator from Auad publications: http://www.auadpublishing.com/pages/books.html Unfortunately, all of the above are out of print, and expensive used. We can only hope that someone might reprint before long.