plate no. 4368
August Strindberg
Carl Larsson, 1899
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering form with graphite or charcoal, focusing on subtle value changes to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the face: forehead, cheeks, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to define the shadows and contours of the face.
- step 04
Focus on the eyes, capturing their shape and the light reflecting in them.
- step 05
Develop the hair, using short, directional strokes to suggest texture and volume.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
- step 07
Add the text at the bottom of the portrait.
- step 08
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · graphite gray · white · blue
secondary · gold
Varying pressure on the graphite will create different shades of gray. Use white to lighten areas and create highlights. A touch of blue is used in the eyes.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·value shading
- ·portrait sketching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value that create depth.
- →Making the hair look flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·drawing paper
- ·ruler
- ·pencil sharpener
- ·blending stump
optional
- ·charcoal pencils
- ·fixative spray
Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. A kneaded eraser is helpful for lifting graphite and creating highlights.
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