plate no. 0864
Chopin
Eugene Delacroix, 1838
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in capturing likeness through line work and understanding value to create form. It also encourages expressive mark-making to convey texture and emotion.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall head shape and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the main angles and lines of the face (nose, eyes, mouth).
- step 03
Add details to the eyes, paying attention to the direction of gaze.
- step 04
Develop the hair with loose, flowing lines, varying the pressure for different values.
- step 05
Define the clothing and collar with darker, more confident lines.
- step 06
Refine the shading on the face, using cross-hatching and stippling to create depth.
- step 07
Add subtle details to the background to suggest atmosphere.
- step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary ·
This is a monochrome drawing, so focus on varying the intensity of the black to create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·Hatching and cross-hatching
- ·Stippling
- ·Line weight variation
- ·Gesture drawing
- ·Contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the original.
- →Making the lines too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Sketchbook or drawing paper
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Kneaded eraser
optional
- ·Ruler
- ·Compass
Use a variety of pencils to achieve different values and textures. Experiment with different erasers to create highlights and correct mistakes.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Romantic Landscape
Karl Lessing
Self-portrait with his brother Francesco
Giuseppe Tominz
Oenone Refuse de Secourir Pâris au Siège de Troie
Léon Cogniet
Duke of Alba
Francisco Goya
Blick Aus Dem Wald Ins Tal
Andreas Achenbach
Young Girl Fixing Her Hair
Sophie Gengembre Anderson
The Plough Inn
William Shayer
Hudson River Landscape
Johann Hermann Carmiencke