plate no. 7588
Autorretrato
Carmen Osés Hidalgo, 1924
some experience helpful
This drawing is great for practicing portrait proportions and rendering soft shadows using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. Students can learn to capture likeness and create subtle gradations of tone with colored pencils or charcoal.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic head shape and proportions, paying attention to the angle of the head.
- step 02
Map out the placement of the facial features: eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to the hair, using short, curved strokes to indicate the curls.
- step 04
Use light hatching to define the shadows on the face, building up the tones gradually.
- step 05
Add subtle color to the lips and cheeks using colored pencils or pastels.
- step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Soften the edges of the drawing with a blending stump or tortillon.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · black · white · red
secondary · gray · pink
Mix white with black to create various shades of gray. Use red sparingly for the lips and cheeks, blending it with white to create a soft pink.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the soft, delicate quality.
- →Making the lines too harsh and defined.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
- →Using too much color and overpowering the drawing.
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Sketch paper
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Colored pencils (red, pink, gray)
- ·Eraser
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Kneaded eraser
optional
- ·Charcoal pencils
- ·Pastel pencils
- ·Fixative spray
Use a variety of pencils to create different values and textures. Experiment with different blending techniques to achieve a soft, subtle effect.
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