cr RobinWood PoP 37 Terry Robin Wood

Here we observe a portrait drawing executed in charcoal and pastel on paper. The subject is depicted from the chest upwards, turned slightly towards the viewer but with his gaze directed off to the side. A distinctive receding hairline frames a broad forehead, contributing to an overall impression of intellectual intensity or perhaps introspection.
The artist has rendered the facial features with considerable detail; the nose is prominent and somewhat bulbous, while the lips are thin and set in a neutral expression. The eyes possess a certain weightiness, conveying a sense of quiet observation. A collar, intricately patterned with what appears to be stylized floral or geometric motifs, sits against the subject’s dark clothing. This decorative element introduces a touch of formality and perhaps hints at an underlying complexity beyond the immediate visual impression.
The tonal range is limited primarily to shades of gray and brown, creating a muted atmosphere that emphasizes form and texture over vibrant color. The background is deliberately indistinct, allowing the focus to remain entirely on the subject’s face and upper body. A subtle hatching technique is employed throughout, adding depth and volume to the figure.
The name Terry appears inscribed beneath the portrait, alongside a signature and date (1988), suggesting this is a personal study or memorialization of an individual known to the artist. The drawing’s style suggests a deliberate attempt at realism, but with a degree of expressive distortion that moves beyond mere replication. It evokes a sense of psychological depth, inviting speculation about the subjects character and inner life. There is a certain vulnerability conveyed through the directness of the gaze and the unidealized depiction of features; it’s not a flattering portrait in the conventional sense, but rather an attempt to capture something essential about the person represented.