plate no. 0823

Chinese people on the Underground - Berlin

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresclothingportraitsindoorstransportationhistorical

some experience helpful

This drawing is a good exercise in capturing realistic proportions and rendering textures using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. Students can learn to create depth and form through careful observation of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to proportions and anatomical accuracy.
step 03
Start adding values with light pencil strokes, focusing on the areas of darkest shadow.
step 04
Build up the values gradually, using hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and form.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of light and how it affects the shapes and textures.
step 06
Add details to the faces and clothing, capturing the unique characteristics of each figure.
step 07
Refine the background elements, ensuring they support the overall composition.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the sense of realism.

color palette

primary · graphite · charcoal

secondary · white (paper)

Varying pressure and layering of graphite creates different shades of gray.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·value shading
·contour drawing
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Rushing the initial sketch and ending up with inaccurate proportions.
→Applying too much pressure too early, making it difficult to erase mistakes.
→Ignoring the direction of light and creating flat, lifeless forms.
→Overworking certain areas and losing the overall balance of the drawing.

materials

surface · Smooth drawing paper

required

·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·Eraser
·Drawing paper
·Pencil sharpener
·Blending stump
·Ruler

optional

·Kneaded eraser
·Charcoal pencils
·Fixative spray

Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. Experiment with different hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create different textures.

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