cr RobinWood PoP 25 Dunca Robin Wood

Here we observe a portrait drawing executed in graphite on what appears to be textured paper. The subject is a middle-aged individual with a pronounced brow and a somewhat downturned mouth, conveying an impression of weariness or perhaps quiet contemplation. The artist has rendered the face with considerable detail, emphasizing the lines etched by time around the eyes and mouth. A receding hairline reveals a broad forehead, contributing to the overall sense of age and experience.
The drawing’s tonal range is limited, relying primarily on variations in grey to define form and volume. This monochromatic approach lends a somber quality to the work, focusing attention squarely on the subjects features and expression. The artist employed hatching and cross-hatching techniques to build up shadow and create texture, particularly noticeable in the depiction of hair and skin.
The background is deliberately indistinct, allowing the figure to dominate the composition. A simple border frames the drawing, providing a visual boundary and enhancing its presentation as a finished work. A signature and date (Dunca © Robin Wood 1988) are inscribed at the bottom right corner, indicating authorship and creation year.
Subtly, the portrait seems to explore themes of resilience and endurance. The subject’s gaze is direct but not confrontational; it suggests a quiet strength rather than defiance. The artists choice to depict this individual in such detail, without idealization or embellishment, implies an interest in portraying authenticity and perhaps even vulnerability. There is a sense of dignity conveyed through the rendering of age and experience, suggesting a life lived fully and marked by both joy and hardship. The overall effect is one of quiet introspection, inviting the viewer to consider the narrative embedded within this individual’s face.