Stemming from the process of cartooning, Ziemann treats his studies as character, prop, and scene development. Using graphite (and occasionally color pencil) on newsprint, grid paper, or found book pages, his studies simultaneously act as preliminary drawings and design blueprints. Ziemann’s studies are an integral part of his process to plan the engineering of his tableaux. His studies record recurring themes, shapes, patterns, and formal gestures over time. Moods and attitudes resurface, allowing for a generative sense of openness to seep into the ideation phase of Ziemann’s work.