Red Chalk is a naturally occurring clay that gets its red color from iron oxide (hematite). It has
been popular since the Renaissance and can produce both sharp contours and delicate, smooth
modeling, as in this drawing by Jusepe de Ribera.
Jusepe de Ribera
(Spanish, 1591-1652)
Detail from St. Sebastian,
1626-
Red chalk with pen and
brown ink, on cream laid
paper, 17.3 x 12.
centimeters