The Redhead

       A man of eighty has outlived probably three new schools of painting, two of architecture and poetry, and a hundred in dress.

                                         Joyce Carey

      The pictures that I am working from for this series of drawings actually come from a black and white clip art book I have.  When I first saw this one I was tempted to make her necklace the red component in this drawing.  Once I got into it, though, I realized her hair was the feature that demanded the most attention.  It is always difficult to draw young, thin people ~ any artist that has tried her hand at life drawing will tell you that.  The more wrinkles the better ~ no matter where they are.  That fact is obvious in the picture.  One can only look at her face for so long before one's eye is drawn to her ribbon necklace.  Even though it is not done in color like her hair, the shadows and highlights created by all the folds in the ribbon make it an equally strong part of the drawing.  Also the shape of the necklace itself completes the circle partially created by her hair and the side of her face keeping the viewer's attention on her face.  Off she goes to join the other ladies!