THE DRAWN HISTORY OF ART – Trees in their own space

In both the analysis of Albert Edelfelt’s work and that of Vincent van Gogh, a style of representation emerges that is linked to the technique employed.

An Analysis of the Works of Albert Edelfelt and Vincent van Gogh.
I created two drawings using watercolours and oil pastels during one of the courses I teach in Paris.

In both the analysis of Albert Edelfelt’s work and that of Vincent van Gogh, a style of representation emerges that is linked to the technique employed.

Albert Edelfelt, Pyökkimetsää, 1901, Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki


In the case of A. Edelfelt, the artist began with a graphite drawing, then moved on to watercolour – a transparent medium – before applying opaque touches. This is no easy technique, as one must take care not to apply too much colour to the lighter areas, so as not to obscure them.

My artwork. Time taken: 20 minutes
© Stefano Zago – Tree in the Forest
Study of Albert Edelfelt’s artwork, Pyökkimetsää, 1901, Finnish National Gallery, Helsinki
Watercolour and oil pastels on paper
16 x 24 cm
2026
Vincent van Gogh, Olive Trees, 1889, oil on canvas, 72×92 cm, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo

In the case of Van Gogh, who used opaque oil paints, and in my own case, where I use opaque oil pastels we can see how the artist can add light colours by layering them over the tree-like mass created by darker colours.
The density of the paint is, in my view, the basis of the uniqueness and modernity of Vincent Van Gogh’s work.

My artwork. Time taken: 10 minutes
© Stefano Zago – Olive Trees
Study based on Vincent van Gogh’s work, “Oliviers”, 1889, oil on canvas, 72 × 92 cm, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo
Oil pastels on paper
16 x 24 cm
2026

Nocturnes

NOCTURNES
2025
Digigraphs taken from 9 Original Drawings (Markers and Indian ink) on paper
14 x 20 cm

Nine studies for the creation of backdrops for a theatrical reading. My contribution to the animation of a small community library brought to life thanks to the collective efforts of the inhabitants of a neighbourhood in a city in northern Italy. The project gave me the opportunity to study the chromatic effects of night-time lighting in interiors and exteriors, a topic I am teaching in my courses on drawing, painting and art history.

Imagination drawing

IMAGINATION
Drawing on paper
retouching and computer colour
1024 x 1024 pixels
2025

Double experiment:
Start from a drawing made instinctively and give it a narrative form
Evaluate which visual path is produced by identifying dots produced by a background colour.