Sanguine drawing (Leonardo da Vinci)

Sanguine drawing, associated with Leonardo da Vinci, refers to artwork created using a reddish-brown chalk made from iron oxide called sanguine. This medium allows for warm, soft tones and smooth shading, ideal for capturing human anatomy and expressive details. Leonardo often used sanguine for sketches and studies because it provided rich depth and subtle gradations, helping him explore forms and perspectives with precision. The color’s natural warmth also lends a lifelike quality to the drawings, making it a favored tool among Renaissance artists for their detailed preparatory works.