Joan Mitchell, renowned for her profound contributions to the Abstract Expressionist movement, extended her mastery beyond the realm of painting to include works on paper, such as drawings, that vividly capture the essence of her artistic exploration and emotional depth. While specific details about her drawings are less frequently highlighted compared to her paintings, these works nonetheless represent an integral part of her oeuvre, offering insights into her creative process and the breadth of her artistic practice.

Mitchell's artwork, encompassing more than 550 pieces, underscores the diversity of her creative output, which includes drawings alongside paintings and prints. This extensive body of work showcases the evolution of her style, her dynamic use of color, and her ability to convey emotion and landscape through abstract forms​ (Joan Mitchell Foundation)​.

Mitchell's approach to art was marked by a contemplative process, whether she was engaging with canvas or paper. Unlike some of her contemporaries in the Abstract Expressionist movement, who might have prioritized spontaneity, Mitchell blended introspection with her expressive gestures. She once described her process as one where the painting itself would guide her actions after periods of observation, a method reflecting her deep engagement with her work's evolving composition​ (The Art Story)​.

Her move to Vétheuil in France, close to Monet's Giverny, significantly influenced her later works, including her drawings. This change of scenery brought a renewed focus on nature and landscape, elements that she seamlessly incorporated into her abstract works. Mitchell's residence, "La Tour," provided a panoramic view of the Seine, further enriching her visual vocabulary and the thematic depth of her works on paper as much as on canvas​ (The Art Story)​.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) hosted a comprehensive retrospective of Mitchell's work, underscoring her status as a formidable creative force. This exhibition, co-organized with the Baltimore Museum of Art, featured over eighty distinguished works, including rarely seen early paintings and drawings. These pieces established her career and demonstrated her color mastery in large-scale multi-panel masterpieces from her later years. The inclusion of suites of paintings, sketchbooks, and drawings, as well as letters and photographs, provided a new perspective on the range and ambition of Mitchell's creative practice​ (SFMOMA)​.

Mitchell's drawings, part of her broader exploration of abstract expressionism, continue to captivate audiences with their raw energy, vibrant color, and the ability to draw on landscape, memory, poetry, and music. Through these works on paper, Mitchell invites viewers into her richly textured world, revealing the layers of contemplation and bursts of spontaneity that define her legacy as a pioneering artist of the 20th century.