Nude Drawing of a Red Haired Model

After setting the pose with the model’s hair curling over her hitched-up knees, I started out making a monochrome drawing. But her red hair just blazed and dominated the composition! I soon realised I had to make the drawing in colour and changed to my coloured pan pastels.

I was so pleased I changed my mind. The beautiful, autumnal, golden hair made an interesting juxtaposition to the angular pose, the way it tumbled over her head and knees. I really tried to capture the reflected warmth in the body. I think I eventually achieved that.

A picture that started out sketchy and loose became very refined and finished although still keeping the movement in her hair.