Drawing for the Sculptor’s Eye
from Simon Kogan
When we look at a drawing, one question can completely change how we understand it: Can you sculpt this?
Not every beautiful drawing contains the kind of information a sculptor needs. Some drawings are purely about mood, light, or design, while others are filled with clues about volume, structure, and space—the things that make them sculptable.
Let’s explore this idea with two masters whose work couldn’t be more different, yet both produce drawings that speak fluently in the language of sculpture.
Rembrandt – The Mood in Three Dimensions
Rembrandt isn’t obsessed with perfect anatomy or overly precise measurements—his magic is in mood, weight, and presence in space. Even in just a few scratches of the pen, he communicates where the body’s weight is, how the torso twists, and the direction of the head.
“One of the Three Kings Adoring the Virgin and Child” by Rembrandt
A Rembrandt’s figure could step off the page. You can decipher the inner structure and see the depth of the scene. He shows you enough that you could turn his drawing into clay.
In Rembrandt’s drawings, the sculptor isn’t just given a description of the elements —they’re given a chronicle, a human story.
Goya – Movement, Mass, and Energy
Where Rembrandt whispers the mood, Goya shouts dramatic motion. His drawings are raw, powerful, and filled with energy. Every stroke conveys torque, weight, and exaggerated action.
by Francisco Goya
A figure straining under a burden or twisting mid-struggle shows you how the chest turns, how the legs brace, and how the muscles strain. Goya isn’t recording anatomy—he’s capturing the force of life in motion.
For a sculptor, this is gold. His drawings hand you not only the positions of the forms but also the dynamics of how they interact.
The Takeaway for Artists
When sketching with sculpture in mind, ask yourself:
Does my drawing represent the volumes in space?
Can I tell the story from the drawing??
Am I showing the action and mood, not just the account of the parts?
Does the drawing have enough information to create a sculpture from?
Some drawings are beautiful in two dimensions and should stay that way. Others—like the work of Rembrandt, Goya, and many others —invite you to step in and be part of the experience. Next time you draw, try thinking like a sculptor. You may discover a whole new depth in your work.
Join Simon Kogan in his sculpting course below: