cr RobinWood PoP 29 Pona Robin Wood

The drawing presents a portrait of a woman rendered in a style suggestive of fantasy or historical illustration. The subject is depicted from the chest upwards, facing directly towards the viewer with a solemn expression. Her gaze is unwavering and intense, contributing to an overall sense of gravity and perhaps even melancholy.
Here we see a fair-skinned individual with light blonde hair that cascades around her shoulders and frames her face. The artist has employed delicate lines to suggest texture in the hair, creating highlights and shadows that give it volume and movement. A complex headpiece adorns her forehead; crafted from gold and featuring a prominent central sapphire, it adds an element of regal or ceremonial significance to the figure.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by earthy tones – browns, creams, and muted greens – which contribute to a sense of antiquity and timelessness. The background appears to be a textured surface, possibly intended to resemble aged parchment or stone, further reinforcing this impression. A subtle blue garment is visible at the neckline, providing a small contrast in color against the skin tone.
The artist’s technique emphasizes detail, particularly around the eyes and mouth, which are rendered with precision to convey emotion. The shading is carefully considered, creating depth and dimension on the face.
Subtexts within the drawing hint at themes of power, responsibility, or perhaps even sorrow. The headpiece suggests a position of authority or status, while the woman’s expression implies a burden carried with quiet dignity. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance and understated strength. The inscription PONA beneath the portrait, along with the artists signature and date (1988), provides contextual information without explicitly defining the subjects identity or narrative role within a larger work.