plate no. 6451

After the Visit

Paul-Albert Besnard, 1900

etchingImpressionismsymbolic paintingskeletonfiguresdeathgriefetchingsymbolism

some experience helpful

This etching provides practice in creating depth and form using line weight and hatching techniques. Students will learn to suggest texture and shadow with minimal tonal variation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the skeleton and figures, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Outline the skeleton with a fine-tipped pen, emphasizing the contours and details of the bones.
step 03
Begin adding hatching to define the shadows on the skeleton, using denser lines for darker areas.
step 04
Create the background by using vertical lines, varying the spacing and thickness to suggest depth.
step 05
Add cross-hatching to the background to create darker areas and more complex textures.
step 06
Develop the figures in the background using a combination of lines and hatching to suggest form and shadow.
step 07
Refine the details of the skeleton and figures, adding more lines and hatching to enhance the depth and realism.
step 08
Add final touches to the background to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · black ink · white paper

secondary ·

Varying the density of black ink lines creates the illusion of tonal variation.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·line weight variation
·contour drawing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the lines, resulting in a muddy or unclear image.
→Not varying the line weight enough, leading to a flat and lifeless drawing.
→Ignoring the proportions of the skeleton and figures, resulting in an inaccurate representation.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas, resulting in a lack of depth.