7 LESSONS FROM WARHOL

1 DRAWING UNDERPINS EVERYTHING

Andy Warhol is best known for his bold silkscreen prints, yet all the qualities that defined his most famous artworks were evident right from the very beginning. The reductive lines, the bold shapes, the voyeuristic fascination with people – these facets can all be seen in his 1950s drawings, such as Boy with Flowers [part of Tate Modern’s new retrospective], where the influence of artists such as Jean Cocteau and Henri Matisse are most apparent.

Born in Pittsburgh in 1928, Warhol initially worked as a commercial illustrator, producing everything from shoe advertisements to record sleeves. Skilled draughtsmanship underpinned everything that he did.

If drawing is not your strong point, don’t worry though.