The Three Graces 

Arthur Bowen Davies made this drawing, "The Three Graces," using charcoal and pastel on paper. The layering of these materials allows for a textured and tonal richness, which Davies uses to sculpt the figures with light and shadow. You can see how the soft, powdery nature of the pastel lends itself to the delicate rendering of skin, while the charcoal defines the contours of the bodies with more assertive lines. The paper itself is relatively coarse, providing a tooth that grips the media, allowing Davies to build up layers of color and depth. The choice of these materials is also significant. Charcoal and pastel are relatively direct and immediate media, allowing for a sense of spontaneity and expressiveness. This immediacy is fitting for a study like this, where the artist is exploring form and movement. The overall effect is one of understated elegance, the classical subject matter softened and humanized by the artist's hand.