Limited Edition red chalk drawing (original sold).

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.

There is very little detail here but I've tried to suggest a mood and feeling through the shoulders and the hint of a face. I've left it open to the viewer's imagination and I have heard many different interpretations.