cr RobinWood PoP 59 Blerion Robin Wood

Here we observe a portrait drawing executed in pastel and pencil on paper. The subject is a young man depicted from the chest upwards, facing slightly towards the viewer. His gaze is direct and intense, conveying a sense of quiet determination or perhaps melancholy.
The artist has rendered his features with considerable detail. Noticeable are the prominent cheekbones, the strong jawline, and the somewhat furrowed brow, suggesting an underlying seriousness. The hair is short and tousled, falling naturally around his face in loose curls. A high-necked jacket or coat, seemingly made of a rough material, frames his neck and shoulders; its texture is suggested through careful application of pastel strokes.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by muted earth tones – grays, browns, and creams – which contribute to the overall somber mood. Subtle touches of blue in the eyes provide a striking contrast, drawing attention to them as focal points. The background is uniformly light, allowing the subject’s face and upper body to emerge with clarity.
The artists technique emphasizes texture and tonal variation. Hatching and cross-hatching are employed to create depth and volume, particularly in the rendering of the hair and clothing. A sense of immediacy and intimacy is fostered by the close proximity of the figure to the picture plane. The inscription at the bottom right corner, B’LERION, along with the signature and date (1988), provides a contextual anchor without explicitly identifying the subject.
Subtly, theres an air of romanticism present in the portrayal – not necessarily in a sentimental sense, but rather in its focus on individual character and psychological depth. The man’s expression hints at inner thoughts or experiences that remain largely unrevealed, inviting speculation about his identity and story. The drawing seems to be less concerned with mere likeness than with capturing an essence of personality.