Constanza completed

This drawing in charcoal and chalk was begun just before Christmas and I recently put the final touches on it. The cast, of Bernini's Constanza, is so exquisite and was an absolute joy to work on. Even the complicated areas such as the hair and base were a pleasure - and unlike some previous projects, the whole thing almost seemed to draw itself.

My approach was to try to focus as much as possible on getting the sculptural quality of the cast across, by emphasising the variety of textures: the smooth face and forehead, the rough-hewn feel of the underside of the base, and the undulating folds of the fabric. 

On this occasion, I departed from my usual method and added some compressed black charcoal and some soft white pastel to give the extreme darks and lights a bit more 'poke'. The result, I think, is a success.