plate no. 2103

Anna Maria Wilhelmine van Hasselt-Barth

lithographyRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryveilcolumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering form with graphite and understanding light and shadow. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting, such as the background and shadows on the figure.
step 03
Begin filling in the mid-tones, gradually building up the values to create depth and dimension.
step 04
Pay close attention to the details of the face, capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 05
Render the textures of the dress, veil, and jewelry, using a variety of techniques to create visual interest.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows, adding contrast and definition to the painting.
step 07
Add the background details, such as the column and drapery.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details, ensuring a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · graphite · white

secondary · light gray · dark gray

Achieve different shades of gray by varying the pressure applied with the graphite pencil and blending with a blending stump or tortillon.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·stippling
·rendering

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value range, resulting in a flat and lifeless drawing.
→Overworking the details, leading to a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Ignoring the proportions and anatomy of the figure, resulting in an inaccurate likeness.
→Using too much pressure with the graphite pencil, making it difficult to erase mistakes.

materials

surface · Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)

required

·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
·Eraser (kneaded and pencil)
·Blending stump or tortillon
·Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
·Ruler
·Pencil sharpener

optional

·Mechanical pencil
·Chamois cloth
·Sandpaper block

Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. Experiment with different blending techniques to create smooth transitions and subtle gradations.

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