Francisco
Francisco (2020)
8½x11 Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Sold
I long to capture the playful quality of your buttocks. — David Sedaris
Meet Francisco, the latest addition to my Mini Figurative series. He is looking back over his shoulder with an intense, smoldering gaze that lets you know he is completely aware of the view he is giving.
The artistic challenge here was all about mapping the dramatic topography of a man's back as it transitions into something a bit more rounded. Working against the series' signature warm ochre backdrop, I used deep, velvety black pastels to ground the curve of his spine and the strong shadow of his jawline. Then, I swept white charcoal across his shoulder blades and down his glutes to catch the light, creating a high-contrast sheen that gives the entire Rear view a firm, tangible presence.
