Quiet Tension

Year
2017

Category
Original Drawing

Medium
Charcoal on kraft paper

Dimensions
121 × 161 cm

Style
Figurative · Realism · Academic Study

Availability
Unique work

Created during live figure drawing sessions at the Art Academy in Split, this large-scale charcoal drawing is based entirely on direct observation from a live model. The work is constructed through restrained line work and minimal tonal intervention, allowing the figure to emerge gradually through structure, posture, and spatial balance.

The composition is anchored by the directness of the seated pose and the psychological presence of the figure itself. The asymmetrical positioning within the paper creates a deliberate tension between openness and weight, while the exposed areas of untreated kraft paper reinforce the immediacy characteristic of academic live study.

Executed on warm-toned kraft paper, the drawing integrates the natural surface into the tonal composition of the work. The combination of reduced mark-making, visible process, and large vertical scale gives the piece a contemporary architectural presence while remaining rooted in traditional figurative discipline.

The artwork was produced in 2017 and minor traces of age, including subtle discolouration and light surface irregularities, are consistent with the natural characteristics of kraft paper over time. The charcoal has been fixed for preservation and the work remains stable.

Original one-of-a-kind artwork by a Croatian academic artist.