plate no. 0717

Cloister near Rocca Imperiale, Calabria

M.C. Escher, 1931

oilRealismlandscapebuildingtreelandscapemountainsfoliagearchitecture

some experience helpful

This artwork is a great exercise in creating depth and texture using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. Recreating it will improve skills in observation, line control, and value rendering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the building, tree, and landscape, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the tree trunk and the shadows within the architecture.
step 03
Begin adding layers of hatching to define the form of the tree, varying the density of lines to create depth.
step 04
Use cross-hatching to build up darker values in the shadows of the building and surrounding landscape.
step 05
Add details to the building, such as windows, arches, and the dome, using precise lines.
step 06
Create texture in the foliage by using short, broken lines.
step 07
Refine the values and details throughout the composition, ensuring a consistent level of detail.
step 08
Add final touches to enhance the contrast and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary ·

This is a monochrome artwork, so the focus is on creating a range of values using different densities of hatching and cross-hatching.

techniques

·Hatching
·Cross-hatching
·Stippling
·Line weight variation
·Perspective

common pitfalls

→Creating overly uniform hatching, which can flatten the image.
→Losing the overall structure of the composition in the details.
→Failing to establish a clear light source, resulting in inconsistent shadows.
→Using lines that are too heavy or dark, making the image appear muddy.

materials

surface · Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)

required

·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·Eraser
·Ruler
·Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
·Pencil sharpener
·Blending stump or tortillon

optional

·Mechanical pencil
·Kneaded eraser
·T-square

Using a range of graphite pencils will allow for a greater range of values. A smooth paper will make it easier to create fine details, while a textured paper will add a more organic feel.

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