Using just pen and ink, French artist Nicolas Jolly crafts intricately-swirling images that are as impressive as they are detailed. Each composition is comprised of a meticulous collection of mark-making featuring countless black hatches that effortlessly flow in different directions. Jolly calls this his “fingerprint” technique, and the waves of lines animate the subject and add a dramatic effect.
We've seen in Jolly's previous drawings that he often depicts sprawling outdoor scenes that feature one or two small-scale figures. This zoomed-out view allows his style to shine, and it is incredible to see how all of the small marks work in unison to create a large, cohesive image. It's a testament to Jolly's skills that he successfully angles his lines to evoke a feeling of movement, while at the same time creating quiet stories that intrigue the viewer.
Nicolas Jolly website and Nicolas Jolly Society 6 page
via [Lustik]
