plate no. 1407

Don Juan

Theo van Doesburg, 1910

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanprofileclothingheadcaricature

some experience helpful

This drawing is great for practicing hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create value and form. Students can also learn about capturing likeness and exaggerating features for caricature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, face, and clothing.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to proportions and key features.
step 03
Begin adding hatching and cross-hatching to define the shadows and contours of the face and head.
step 04
Focus on the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using darker lines to emphasize these areas.
step 05
Add texture to the hair and clothing using varied line weights and directions.
step 06
Continue building up the values, layering the hatching to create darker areas and leaving white space for highlights.
step 07
Refine the overall drawing, adjusting the values and adding details as needed.
step 08
Add the signature in the corner.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary ·

This drawing uses only black and white, so mixing is not applicable. Focus on varying the density and thickness of the lines to create different values.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·contour drawing
·line weight variation
·caricature

common pitfalls

→Not varying the line weight enough, resulting in a flat drawing.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the lines.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the hatching, which can affect the form of the object.