plate no. 2448
Drawing of a man
Nikos Nikolaou, 1929
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall figure proportions and pose.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and shadow areas.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the darkest values with a diluted wash.
- step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the form of the muscles.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and torso.
- step 06
Add highlights to emphasize the light areas.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend tones for a smooth transition.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · ivory black
secondary · titanium white
Achieve a range of values by diluting the umber and black with water or solvent. Use white sparingly for highlights.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Ignoring the underlying anatomical structure.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·drawing paper (toned or white)
- ·blending stumps
- ·soft brushes
- ·fixative spray
optional
- ·ruler
- ·grid
- ·sandpaper block
Toned paper can help establish mid-tones more easily. Use a variety of charcoal pencils to achieve different levels of darkness.
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