plate no. 0195

Ali Podrimja

pencil, paperContemporary Realismportraitportraitfiguremanfacehairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in observational drawing, capturing likeness, and using charcoal or pencil to create a range of values and textures. It also emphasizes understanding of facial anatomy and proportions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and placement of the head, shoulders, and main facial features.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the angles and shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 03
Begin adding darker values to the hair, using short, directional strokes to indicate the flow and texture.
step 04
Establish the darkest areas of the face, such as the shadows around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Gradually build up the mid-tones, blending and layering the charcoal or pencil to create smooth transitions.
step 06
Add details to the eyes, capturing the highlights and reflections to bring them to life.
step 07
Refine the clothing and background, using looser strokes and lighter values to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details, making sure to maintain a balance between light and shadow.

color palette

primary · graphite · charcoal

secondary · white (paper)

Vary pressure and layering to achieve different shades of gray. Use blending tools sparingly to maintain texture.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·value shading
·directional strokes

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a flat, lifeless drawing.
→Ignoring the underlying structure of the face, leading to inaccurate proportions.
→Failing to establish a full range of values, resulting in a drawing that lacks depth.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and values.