Charcoal study: The favorite model

 

Graphite study: Form and light

 

Charcoal study: Strength

 

Sanguine study: Nordic

 

Sepia Study: The Shepherd

 

Sanguine study: Onward through the night

 

Pencil Study: Holding Back...

 

Graphite Study: Muscles

 

Sanguine Study: Sad Old Red

 

Quick sketch: Strike a pose...

 

Study in Sanguine. Red in Red

 

Black, White and 5 shades of Grey

 

Drawing Study: Watersoluble

 

Friday Sketch: Contrasts

 

Friday Sketch: Through Your Eyes

 

Watercolour Study: Sepia Male

 

Cold Encounter

Almost faceless; almost invisible, the man strode the wet cobblestones with firm decisive steps. He lifted the collar of his coat up to his cheeks, barely showing his eyes and nose. Although initially worried about his anonymity, he soon found out the winter wind and the relentless drizzle were excuses enough to go unnoticed through the scarcely illuminated alleys.

He did not meet but quite a few people on his way and they were all more bothered at running away from the cold rain than looking at strangers walking down the streets.

The time and weather conditions could not be more appropriate. He obviously would prefer the reddish colourful autumn, his favourite season, but the grey dull winter was perfect for his task… his mission…

He mumbled almost emotionless.

‘Strange modern times… so fed up of these empty touchy people. No wonder why…’

He realised no one would ever know the reason he was there, at that moment and felt almost relieved.

That was the address. He knew the place. He had gone through the plan an infinite number of times, until it was thoroughly memorized. It should be flawless by then. The time was right. Soon it would be over.

He stopped in front of the entrance and typed the code at the gate. The tiny red light switched on. He turned to the camera to have his face scanned. He heard a click and pushed the gate open. The cold rain fell hard upon him while he walked on his firm pace to the building.

***

- I was looking for you.

- I was waiting for you.

He did not smile.

She looked out of the window. Her thoughts were very far away. For a moment it seemed she did not know where she was, nor the epoch she was living anymore. She just wished everything was over by then. She would give her life for one single kiss and embrace… a warm touch of bodies… whatever felt warm in the midst of that horrible winter…

- Everything is so lost…

- Not everything, but most of the things…

She turned around. His eyes were set on her face.

- When?

- In a few minutes.

- Will you come back here, after this is all over?

- Probably. A man’s job is never complete...

She pretended to smile, but her face did not help much. That sadness was so evident and solid, one could almost touch it.

- A cold and rainy day… to crown it with a sordid detail…

- I tried my best.

She looked at him with a despising expression. His face was handsome. One could never guess the intent behind those icy blue eyes. She shivered.

The rain stopped suddenly.

- A gift.

She looked surprised. In her mind there were lots of conflicting thoughts, memories, lost feelings, anguish… but not anger. Not anymore.

She felt light. She wished she had had a last chance; a last moment of love and pleasure…

If she only knew before… she would have lived…

- It’s late.

His eyes were inviting, in a different way. She felt she had no more time. She recalled an old song.

…”What I would give to be lost in your embrace”…* 

He smiled as if reading her thoughts. She smiled back.

- I know. It doesn’t make any sense.

- No. It doesn’t.

He paused. She felt tears rolling down her face.

- I’m ready.

- Then it’s time for the phone call.

- That’s an unusual way of doing it.

She dialled a three-number code. There was a click on the other side of the line.

“You dialled Emergency”...

- I had an accident. I’m dying…  

“What kind of accident? Madam? Madam?”...

She hung up and smiled. Peacefully. Nothing mattered anymore.

His face was handsome. Masculine. Perfect. She lifted her both hands to be held in his.

- It’s time. Let’s just do it…

***

(*Fallen: Benjamin Arthur Mckee / Daniel Coulter Reynolds / Daniel Wayne Sermon)

Friday Sketch: "Sitting on my own, not by myself"...

 

Sunday Sketch in Sanguine: Hold the Line

 

Thursday Sketch: Body; Light & Shades