plate no. 1789
Famille En Fuite
Theophile Steinlen, 1915
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in linework, cross-hatching, and creating depth through varying line thickness and density. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a landscape and conveying a sense of movement and emotion.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and tree placement, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the path.
- step 03
Begin adding darker lines to define the figures' outlines and clothing folds.
- step 04
Use cross-hatching to create shadows and volume on the figures and trees.
- step 05
Vary the line weight to create depth, using thicker lines in the foreground and thinner lines in the background.
- step 06
Add details to the faces and clothing, paying attention to the expressions of the figures.
- step 07
Refine the linework and add any final details.
- step 08
Consider adding a light wash of diluted ink or paint to create a tonal background.
color palette
primary · sepia · ivory black
secondary · raw umber
Vary the sepia tone by diluting it with water or mixing in small amounts of ivory black for darker areas.
techniques
- ·cross-hatching
- ·linework
- ·varying line weight
- ·dry brush texture
common pitfalls
- →Making the lines too uniform, which will flatten the image.
- →Not varying the line weight enough to create depth.
- →Overworking the cross-hatching, which can make the image look muddy.
- →Ignoring the proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·sketchbook or drawing paper
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·sepia ink or watercolor
- ·fine liner pens
- ·round brush (size 2-4)
- ·eraser
- ·ruler
optional
- ·watercolor paper
- ·palette for mixing ink
Experiment with different types of paper and ink to find the combination that works best for you.
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