Limited Edition Print.
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 have been rarely used of late. I have been using it for about 10 years and love the effect and colour.
This picture was modelled by a professional ballerina, hence such an ambitious pose. I love the angles she achieved and the composition. I have tried to play down the unimportant parts, bringing focus to the pose and expression of effort with minimal detail.
