Master drawings provide the sense of being close to the artist, of seeing inspiration and creativity firsthand. They allow a glimpse behind the scenes, beyond the final product the artist wanted to show, enabling understanding of the human struggle involved, false starts and failed ideas included. This absorbing new book allows the centuries of time between us and the masters to drop away, putting the reader right beside these tremendous artists as they work. Most drawings served only a transitory role in the process of preparing to make a painting or other work of art, although some were made as impressive finished works in themselves. While those were carefully preserved, many other sheets were only kept in the artist s workshop because they represented useful tools for future commissions, while still others might have been rescued from the studio floor by an assistant. Through this striking book, readers gain insight into why artists made drawings, how they used the media available to them  including red chalk, watercolour, pen and ink, and pastel  and their techniques, such as hatching, stumping, squaring, and heightening. This beautiful book has wide appeal, but will be invaluable for art students, practicing artists, and those who study art and art history.