Page "Drawing" Paragraph 11

It is not known when art or drawing was established.

Sketches and paintings have been produced since prehistoric times, as demonstrated by cave and rock paintings.

By the 12th to 13th centuries A. D., monks were preparing illuminated manuscripts on vellum and parchment in monasteries throughout Europe and were using lead styli to draw lines for their writings and for the outlines for their illuminations.

Soon artists generally were using silver to make drawings and underdrawings.

Initially they used and re-used wooden tablets with prepared ground for these drawings.

When paper became generally available, from the 14th century onwards, artists ' drawings, both preparatory studies and finished works, became increasingly common.