Sketch of Marthese

Marthese

A fleeting glance, a quiet grace,
Captured in lines, her thoughts embrace.
The charcoal whispers, a tale unfolds,
Of youth, of dreams, and stories untold.

This sketch on paper utilizes expressive charcoal strokes to capture the subject’s profile.
The medium emphasizes contrast, with bold outlines and subtle shading creating depth.
Gestural lines bring life and movement to the figure, revealing an intimate, spontaneous quality.
As a portrait study, it showcases the raw immediacy and emotion achievable in minimalistic mediums.

Artist’s Note
This charcoal sketch of my wife, Marthese, was created in the early 1970s, a period when I was eager to have people pose for my drawings to refine my observation and technique. Marthese kindly accepted to sit for me on several occasions, and this particular portrait captures not only her youthful poise but also the quiet patience and natural elegance that inspired me then — and continues to do so. It remains a cherished work from my early explorations of portraiture.