plate no. 6551

Face a woman turned towards the right

oilBaroquesketch and studyfacewomanportraithairsketch

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in proportion, shading, and capturing the likeness of a human face. It also provides practice in using line weight to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shape of the head and facial features, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the main light source and begin shading the areas in shadow with light, even strokes.
step 03
Gradually build up darker values in the deepest shadows, using cross-hatching or layering.
step 04
Define the contours of the face and hair with darker lines, varying the line weight to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle curves and angles.
step 06
Refine the hair, using curved lines to suggest the direction and texture of the strands.
step 07
Soften edges and blend values where necessary to create a smooth transition between light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the drawing to life.

color palette

primary · charcoal gray · light gray

secondary · brownish gray

Achieve the various shades of gray by controlling the pressure applied to the charcoal or pencil. Use blending to create smooth transitions.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·contour drawing
·value shading

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
→Failing to establish a clear light source, resulting in flat or confusing shading.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, before establishing the overall form and proportions.
→Using lines that are too uniform in weight, resulting in a flat and lifeless drawing.