St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata

About this work

This sketch shows a robed figure kneeling on rocky ground, arms outstretched as if pierced by wounds. Behind them, a bare tree stands tall, its branches twisting upward toward a distant church spire. The scene is drawn in fine, hatching lines that create shadows and texture, giving the figures a sense of weight and struggle. Notice how the artist used light and dark lines to shape the body—this makes the figure look almost three-dimensional on flat paper. The marks are precise but expressive, especially around the hands and face. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique works in other art.