Chalk

John Craxton - Self-portrait, chalk on green paper

The drawing is made of gestural marks and broken lines making it appear lively and modern. Bold black chalk creates a strong outline contrasted with feathery, light touches and the artist has allowed the green of the paper to remain untouched and stand as a warmer mid-tone. White chalk highlights have been added sparingly to suggest light but the strength of the drawing is in its simplified, slightly naïve style which is not overworked. Consider how different the drawing would be if the artist had chosen to work on white rather than coloured paper.

Using chalk as a material for making a self-portrait

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