Original red chalk drawing (very nicely framed).

Sanguine or red chalk is chalk of a reddish-brown colour, so-called because it resembles the colour of dried blood. It has been popular for centuries for drawing (where white chalk only works on coloured paper). The word comes via French from the Italian sanguigna and originally from the Latin “sanguis”.

Many of the old masters used red chalk but it seems to go have been rarely used of late. I have been using it for about 10 years and love the effect and colour.

I love the emotion in this pose and have tried to simplify it down to its very essence - less is more.

If I'd filled it all in, the lower, less-important parts would compete with the focal point (largely the facial expression, and mood conveyed through the entwined pose). The eye is drawn to the face, and the brain (having been given enough clues) fills in the rest.