plate no. 3636
Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney
Julian Ashton, 1893
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and perspective lines.
- step 02
Focus on the main shapes of the buildings, wall, and figures.
- step 03
Establish the darkest areas of the composition using thin washes.
- step 04
Build up the values gradually, adding layers of hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and texture.
- step 05
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow to create form.
- step 06
Add details to the figures and buildings, focusing on capturing their essential characteristics.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding highlights as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust contrast.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber
secondary · sepia
Use varying dilutions of black and umber to create a range of grays and browns. Sepia can be used sparingly to add warmth to certain areas.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·dry brush
- ·value shading
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Ignoring the principles of perspective.
- →Creating muddy or undefined shadows.
materials
surface · smooth paper
required
- ·smooth paper
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·eraser
- ·ruler
- ·fine liner pens
- ·soft brushes
- ·black ink
optional
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·tortillon
- ·watercolor pencils
Use a smooth paper that can handle multiple layers of graphite or ink. Experiment with different grades of pencils to achieve a range of values.
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