But above all the duo ‘’loved’’ discovering drawings that had not yet seen the light of day.

‘’For example Diana Wood Conroy’s work combines pomegranate juice and ancient ash sourced from an archeological dig in Cyprus,’’ Goldacre said.

Wilson added that from marks made in pre-historic caves to the highly technical drawings required to make a cathedral a reality, drawing has always played a significant role in the development of mankind.

‘’The act of drawing gives us a unique way of seeing, organising and interpreting the world and this show proves that this act produces some exquisite works of art,’’ she said.

Wilson and Goldacre believe there is a dynamic energy to this show that comes from having brought together such a disparate and quality collection of artists’ styles and ideas about drawing.

For Wombarra artist Paulineke Polkamp drawing is like meditating.

‘’If I get into it properly I find myself in a space where I’m not tracking time. I might start off in a bad mood but by the time I’ve finished I just feel really good,’’ she said.

‘’Technically masterful’’ drawings feature from artists such as Hal Pratt, Sue Smalkowski, John Kennedy, Karen Hook and Kathryn Orton.

There are also expressive works by Nick Santoro, Alannah Dreise and Gillian Day, as well as interpretive drawings by Julia Stepanovic.

A 10 metre conceptual piece by Harry Gale uses printmaking to ‘draw’ a path through his lived time line, while Gabrielle Freer, Liz Jeneid, Moira Kirkwood, India Mark, Lara Serensin and Leonie Watson are also exhibiting works.

Drawing the Line will be opened by cartoonist and Walkley Award winner Dave Rowe on Friday, July 8 from 6.30pm at Clifton School of Arts.

The exhibition runs 11am to 4pm daily until July 17.