plate no. 0165
André Rouveyre
Antonio de la Gándara, 1904
some experience helpful
This painting provides a good exercise in contour drawing and hatching techniques to create form and shadow. Students can also practice capturing likeness and expression with minimal color.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to the angles and curves of the face and body.
- step 03
Begin adding ink lines to define the contours of the figure, varying line weight for emphasis.
- step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching to create shadows and volume, building up darker areas gradually.
- step 05
Focus on capturing the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as buttons and folds, using similar hatching techniques.
- step 07
Create a subtle background wash to suggest depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to complete the drawing.
color palette
primary · sepia · black
secondary · white
Vary the dilution of sepia ink to create different shades. Use white to add highlights sparingly.
techniques
- ·contour drawing
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·line weight variation
- ·wash technique
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the hatching and creating a muddy effect
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions
- →Ignoring the importance of line weight
- →Not varying the spacing of the hatching lines
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·sepia ink
- ·black ink
- ·fine liner pens
- ·watercolor paper
- ·pencil
- ·eraser
- ·ruler
optional
- ·white gouache
- ·palette for mixing ink
- ·various sized brushes
Experiment with different types of ink and paper to find your preferred combination. Consider using a light box to transfer the initial sketch.
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