Tied Down

“Tied Down” presents a full figure positioned against a textured graphite ground created by mixing graphite with water and brushing it into wet paper. This process forms an abstract, layered surface that supports the composition and adds depth beneath the figure.

She stands with her arms extended upward, holding a thin piece of dark fabric above her head. The wind-swept cloth moves across the frame, introducing a sense of movement, while her gaze is directed downward toward her feet. The pose creates a clear visual contrast between uplifted arms and her grounded stance.

Carly achieves the illusion of thinly veiled fabric by grinding charcoal and graphite by hand and applying the fine pigment in multiple layers using dry brushes. This method builds tone gradually, allowing the material to suggest transparency and depth without heavy blending.

Lit from the left, the figure transitions into shadow on the right. Her legs are partially wrapped in dark cloth, forming a tangle beneath her. The stance communicates both restriction and autonomy, balancing tension with stability. With her head lowered toward the fabric at her feet, she appears composed, accepting the position within the scene.

This artwork is 160 x 107cm

Charcoal and graphite on 100% cotton archival paper

This artwork is one of one.