Pencil madness

Only a test of charcoal pencil.

My charcoal drawing feels intimate and exploratory, as if it captures fragments of observation rather than a single finished statement. The central focus is a carefully rendered eye near the top of the page. Its lashes are thick and expressive, and the surrounding shading suggests depth, fatigue, or contemplation. The eye appears alert yet inward-looking, giving the impression of quiet thought or restrained emotion. The charcoal marks around it are loose and textured, allowing the paper to remain visible and active in the composition.

On the right side, partial facial contours emerge—suggestions of a cheek, jawline, and mouth—drawn with rough, searching strokes. These areas feel deliberately unfinished, emphasizing gesture over precision and creating a sense of movement, as if the face is forming or dissolving at the same time. The smudging and layered lines give the drawing a tactile, almost weathered quality.

In contrast, the lower-left area introduces a delicate ornamental element: a small sunflower with curling, decorative lines. This motif feels lighter and more controlled, offering a visual pause from the emotional weight of the facial studies. The flower’s presence adds a symbolic note—perhaps growth, memory, or resilience—balancing the heavier tones of the portrait fragments.

The visible tools—a pencil and sharpener—frame the drawing as part of an ongoing process rather than a concluded piece. Overall, the work conveys introspection and vulnerability. It embraces imperfection, using charcoal’s softness and unpredictability to express emotion, thought, and the act of seeing itself.