Head of a Woman

About this work

This is a close-up portrait of a woman drawn in soft charcoal. Her hair is pulled back neatly, and she wears a high-necked dress with simple lace trim. The background is plain, keeping all focus on her face and shoulders. The artist used shading to give her skin a smooth, almost three-dimensional look. Tiny strokes in white chalk add subtle highlights to her cheekbones and collarbone. Want to see more? Check out scumbling, the technique used here for soft blending.