Painters' Drafts - Struggles for Perfection

For artists, the process of transferring an image from their mind to the final product was often a process of trial and error. Prior to creating the final work, artists relied on numerous sketches and preliminary drawings in order to perfect composition and color. In the case of the large works, small drawings were prepared first. These were later enlarged and recreated to the desired size.

While we, the viewers, often only see the final work, seeing the numerous sketches and drafts helps us comprehend the hurdles overcome and strategies developed. Some preliminary paintings show the artist's unrestrained and lively brush work. This characteristic is often absent in the completed piece - reflecting the degree of restraint the artist displayed in the final work.

Some people today perceive the changes to the pieces as decisions by the artists themselves. In fact, designs and sketches were often changed so they appealed to the Shogun or Daimyo (feudal lord) that commissioned the works. The order to fulfill their customer's expectations must have caused artists a great deal of stress and anxiety, which is apparent in these sketches and preliminary drawings.