plate no. 3756

Archangel

Theo van Doesburg, 1910

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanhatclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in hatching, cross-hatching, and rendering form using value. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the portrait, such as the shadows under the hat and around the neck.
step 03
Begin hatching to build up the mid-tones, varying the density and direction of the lines to suggest form.
step 04
Use cross-hatching to deepen the shadows and create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add finer details, such as the wrinkles on the face and the texture of the clothing.
step 06
Refine the highlights by lifting pigment or using a lighter pencil.
step 07
Pay close attention to the expression in the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.