Modeled on the form of an eye in a self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, drawn in felt-tipped pen on paper.
Vincent's Eye, 1972
Felt pen on graph paper, 8 1/4" x 11" (id#7)

Unique drawing. Reproductions may be available.
The image is based on the eye in a self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh.
An elaborate crucifix joining heaven and earth, drawn in felt-tipped pen on paper.
Crucifix of the Earth and Sky, 1973
Felt pen on graph paper, 11" x 8 1/4" (id#12)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A crucifix whose lower part is embedded in the ground, its upper part extending into the air. Inspired by medieval mysticism, but with a lysergic twist.
A fantasy, influenced by the old cartoons of Max Fleischer, drawn in felt-tipped pen on paper.
Up the River (To the Source), 1973
Felt pen on graph paper, 8 1/4" x 11" (id#9)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
Inspired in part by certain landscapes in some very old animated cartoons, such as those by Max Fleischer.
A creature from the dark side of my consciousness, inspired a bit by racing-car decoration, drawn in felt-tipped pen on paper.
Demon, 1973
Felt pen on paper, 9" x 12" (id#11)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A aerial fantasy, suggestive of stained-glass design or Arabic patterns, drawn in felt-tipped pen on paper.
Above the Crystal Planet, 1973
Felt pen on graph paper, 8 1/4" x 11" (id#8)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A repeating floral fantasy.
Blossom, 1973

Watercolor dye on waxed rice paper, 10" x 8" (id#5)


Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A sort of mandala, but somewhat more biomorphic.
One of a series of experiments in applied art, using the materials for fabric design.
A repeating fantasy, imagined as if through a microscope.
Paramecia Kartoffelensis, 1973
Watercolor dye on waxed rice paper, 6 1/2" x 8" (id#6)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A repeating biomorphic pattern, with a mock-Latin title. (Kartoffel is German for potato.) One of a series of experiments in applied art, using the materials for fabric design.
An iconic, totemic fantasy drawn in pastel on rice paper.
Pastel Mandala I (Suns in Circle), 1978
Pastel on rice paper, 12" x 10" (id#44)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A mandala somewhat closer to traditional mandalas in form and coloring.
An iconic, totemic fantasy drawn in pastel on rice paper.
Pastel Mandala II (Circles and Arcs), 1978
Pastel on rice paper, 10" x 9 1/2" (id#45)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A mandala somewhat closer to traditional mandalas in form and coloring.
An iconic, totemic fantasy drawn in pastel on rice paper.
Small Pastel Mandala I, 1978
Pastel on rice paper, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" (id#46)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A mandala somewhat closer to traditional mandalas in form and coloring.
An iconic, totemic fantasy drawn in pastel on rice paper.
Small Pastel Mandala II, 1978
Pastel on rice paper, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" (id#47)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A mandala somewhat closer to traditional mandalas in form and coloring.
An iconic, totemic fantasy drawn in pastel on rice paper.
Small Pastel Mandala III, 1978
Pastel on rice paper, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" (id#48)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A mandala somewhat closer to traditional mandalas in form and coloring.
A biomorphic fantasy drawn in oil crayon.
Flame-Leaf, 1977
Oil crayon on paper 12" x 8 3/4" (id#21)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
An iconic, totemic fantasy drawn in pastel.
Inner Glow, 1977
Pastel on paper, 12" x 8 3/4" (id#22)

Unique drawing.
Reproductions may be available.
A primitive allegory of evolution, etched in a zinc plate.
Passage/Emergence (Birth), 1972
Hand-painted intaglio print, 12" x 9" (id#51)

Intaglio print from zinc plate, hand-colored artist's proof.
Reproductions may be available.

Crudely drawn, but spirited.
Mostly influenced by such work as that of Hundertwasser, the mentally disturbed, and premodern cultures.

Drawings:  in Felt Pen, Pastel, and Other Media


This work is from the 1970s, when I was beginning to develop a style of my own as a visual artist, something not merely derivative (such as Paul Klee-style abstractions).  The first several images here are from a series of drawings made with the blunt instrument of the felt-tipped pen (usually on cheap, high-cellulose graph paper), which were quite unrestrained in their coloring.  (I used the pens as they were, right out of the box).  Two were done with watercolor dye on waxed rice paper, which I made while considering jobs in fabric design (fortunately not for long).  A few years later came the more muted pastel drawings, and here and there something else. 


Prior to the felt pen drawings seen here, I did a few others (not shown) of repeating geometrical motifs, following the grid of the graph paper, in which I tried to suggest the fantastically detailed patterns of what I called "eyelid movies".  What I really wanted to do was to make movies of such imagery, which is as rapidly changing as it is intricate.  This was technically far beyond my means at the time, though by now it is child's play with the computer.


For additional commentary, see the essays and artist's statements that regard this work: "Mandalas by Allen Schill - a brief statement and a long essay", and "Artist's Statement for the Nicholas Roerich Museum Exhibition"

© Copyright Allen Schill

Using Format