Bridget Riley: Working Drawings

Bridget Riley: Working Drawings delves into the meticulous creation process behind Bridget Riley's paintings, which evolve through careful consideration of variables such as colour, tone, scale, and rhythm. Central to this practice are her studies, which allow Riley to engage in analysis and synthesis. She notes, "Because my work is based on enquiry, studies are my chief method of exploration and my way into paintings" (2005).

This volume exquisitely illustrates the thought and preparation involved in Riley's work with a selection of over 150 drawings, colour analyses, notations, scale studies, and cartoons. Many of these were showcased at her significant retrospective exhibitions in Edinburgh and London from 2019 to 2020, curated by the National Galleries of Scotland. The selection spans Riley's extensive career, tracing the beginnings and evolution of her extraordinary oeuvre. Early works, including childhood drawings and pieces from her studies at Goldsmiths' College and the Royal College of Art, reveal her initial forays into abstraction.

The book highlights Riley's distinct working method through a newly commissioned conversation with Sir John Leighton, Director of the National Galleries of Scotland. This discussion uncovers pivotal moments and artistic impulses that fuel her creative process. Furthermore, the volume features four previously published texts on Riley's studies and artistic practice, authored by the artist, art historians, curators, and museum directors, offering deeper insight into the importance of drawing and exploratory processes in her art.

With over 200 illustrations, Bridget Riley: Working Drawings provides a compelling look at the enduring significance of drawing and exploration in Riley's work.