Lana Svirezheva created this charcoal figure drawing during a life drawing session with a model named Rose. This piece is part of her ongoing practice of working from life, capturing poses that typically last between five and fifteen minutes. The process demands intense focus and quick, deliberate mark-making from the artist. Every moment is crucial, as continuing to work on the piece after the pose is over would disrupt the raw immediacy and emotional intensity captured in the initial strokes.
This particular study of Rose stands out for its interesting pose, which could be viewed as meditative or spiritual. The varied pressure and texture in the charcoal strokes skilfully define the contours of her back and short haircut by making the line sharp here, and soft elsewhere. The choice of soft shadows alongside bold, crisp lines enhances the sense of volume and three-dimensionality. Her fingers coming together, barely touching each other contribute to an atmosphere of introspection, making the drawing resonate with a powerful sensitivity.
