For this life drawing session I concentrated on drawing with a sanguine conte crayon.

Sanguine has been used throughout history to draw the human body. Artists such as Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo and Raphael used it to create detailed anatomical drawings. Rembrandt also used sanguine in many of his drawings. Eventually the drawing material became synonymous with drawing the human figure and the natural landscape.

Sanguine is so named after the Latin word for blood. This may be because it gives warmth and life to the figure suggesting blood pumping and flushing the skin.

I enjoy using sanguine in my life drawing studies as it gives my work a more classical look which contrasts nicely with my bold marks and blocky shadows.