This powerful black-and-white drawing captures the viewer's gaze with intense emotion and mystery. The portrait shows a woman partly shrouded in shadow, with a gaze that is at once vulnerable and inscrutable. The artist plays masterfully with light and dark: hard contrasts accentuate the structure of the face, while subtle transitions add softness and depth.
What immediately stands out is the expressive style - the hair is loosely sketched, with teardrop-shaped highlights that seem to float between ornament and tear. This raises questions: is this sadness, elegance, or both? The face is partly hidden, partly revealed, allowing the viewer to make their own meaning of what is not expressed.
The neck and shoulders are softly rendered, with a delicate chain that shines slightly, adding another layer of femininity to the image. The drawing feels both modern and timeless - classic in technique, contemporary in emotion.
This work is an eye-catcher in any space where introspection and stillness are welcome. It invites reflection, looking without judgement. The balance between precision and suggestion makes the work lively and human - it does not tell a fixed story, but opens a space in which everyone can find their own interpretation.
Denny Stoekenbroek (b. 1978) is a Dutch artist specialising in expressive charcoal drawings. His work is characterised by a cinematic atmosphere, strong light-dark contrasts and a deep focus on character and emotion. Denny is self-taught and draws inspiration from vintage photography, classic beauty and timeless portraits. His drawings.. Read more…