The model posed for this long-pose drawing for eight mornings at the Florence Academy of Art. The easel was set up at such a distance from the model that the figure appeared the same size on the paper as the model on the stand from a fixed point about three paces back from the easel. A visual measurement was taken from this viewpoint with a string and then each mark was made on the paper as it appeared from that position. This is the classic 'sight-size' drawing method. I also used a 'black mirror' which simplifies shadow shapes to check the main light-dark structures. The lighting on the model was natural daylight from a high window.
charcoal © Fergus A Ryan, 2015
Collection Fergus and Sarah Ryan