Sir Frederick Leighton

About this work

This sketch shows a man’s head turned slightly away, his face in profile. His hair and beard are drawn in quick, loose lines, giving them texture. The background is plain, so your eyes stay on the face and hair. The artist focused on light and shadow to shape the face—notice how the beard fades into darkness. This was a common way to make drawings look three-dimensional. Next, check out sfumato to see how artists like this used soft blending for smoother edges.