Chalk

A drawing material, similar in texture and appearance to pastels, made from various soft stones or earths. The three main types are black, red (also called sanguine, and white chalk. They are applied dry to paper and smudge easily so can be blended and mixed. Today processed coloured chalks are produced by mixing the limestone rock used in white chalk with pigments, water, and a binding agent such as gum.

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George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, by Unknown artist, 1580? - NPG 6343 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury
by Unknown artist
1580?
NPG 6343

Edward Gibson, by Edward Gibson, 1690 or 1696 - NPG 1880 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Edward Gibson
by Edward Gibson
1690 or 1696
NPG 1880

Henry Purcell, by John Closterman, probably 1695 - NPG 4994 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Henry Purcell
by John Closterman
probably 1695
NPG 4994

Allan Ramsay, by Allan Ramsay, 1776 - NPG 1660 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Allan Ramsay
by Allan Ramsay
1776
NPG 1660

Benjamin Robert Haydon, by Sir David Wilkie, 1815 - NPG 1505 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Benjamin Robert Haydon
by Sir David Wilkie
1815
NPG 1505

Marie Tussaud, attributed to Francis Tussaud, circa 1842 - NPG 2031 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Marie Tussaud
attributed to Francis Tussaud
circa 1842
NPG 2031

Charlotte Brontë, by George Richmond, 1850 - NPG 1452 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Charlotte Brontë
by George Richmond
1850
NPG 1452

Charles Turner, by Charles Turner, 1850 - NPG 1317 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Charles Turner
by Charles Turner
1850
NPG 1317

Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt, by William Holman Hunt, 1853 - NPG 2914 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt
by William Holman Hunt
1853
NPG 2914

Samuel Smiles, by Louise Jane Jopling (née Goode, later Rowe), circa 1880s - NPG 1856 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Samuel Smiles
by Louise Jane Jopling (née Goode, later Rowe)
circa 1880s
NPG 1856

James Anthony Froude, by John Edward Goodall, circa 1890 - NPG 1439 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

James Anthony Froude
by John Edward Goodall
circa 1890
NPG 1439

Athol Fugard, by Peter Wardle, 2002 - NPG 6679 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

Athol Fugard
by Peter Wardle
2002
NPG 6679

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