Stylistic conventions

The engraved animals and scenes are anchored to one or two baselines along the outer edge of the object. The baselines are often delineated in black (Fig. 3). In the pencil drawings, three or four straight lines divide the paper horizontally, serving as base lines.

Side views are most common, but the figures, especially caribou, are also depicted at angles, or facing the viewer. Following a stylistic convention frequently found in carvings as well, in water scenes, most artists show only the parts that are visible from above the water line. ‘Full views’, showing the paddle tips under the water line, as well as the whole animal, are rare (Fig. 1).

The most notable difference between the pictorial engravings on ivory and the pencil drawings is the greater ability to express nuances in shading when using pencil and paper (Fig. 7). While in the engravings all figures appear as silhouettes, in the pencil drawings the animals' eyes and mouth are clearly marked; lighter and darker tones may indicate variations in skin colour. Interestingly, this is only the case for animals – humans are still depicted as silhouettes.