Nude on Back

This oil on wood shows a seated nude figure from behind, knees drawn in, the head turned down and away. Painted on a small panel, 40 by 30 cm, so the whole figure sits within an arm's length of the viewer. I chose the back because its line carries the whole figure: from the curve of the hips, up along the spine, to the head, a strong and dynamic shape that still holds its balance. Hiding the face gives the viewer rest. Being looked at is harder than looking. The brushwork stays loose where the body turns into shadow, so the form reads more by light than by line.