plate no. 9669
Family
Paul-Albert Besnard, 1890
experienced study
Recreating this etching will help students develop skills in rendering form with value and creating depth through layering and line work. It will also help with understanding tonal variations and creating a sense of atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the composition with a dark wash.
- step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones using lighter washes and cross-hatching.
- step 04
Focus on defining the facial features and hair with finer lines.
- step 05
Add details to the background and foreground, paying attention to the overall tonal balance.
- step 06
Use a dry brush technique to create texture and subtle variations in value.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · sepia · ivory black
secondary · raw umber · burnt umber
Achieve different shades by diluting the primary colors with water or blending them with each other. Use very little white to maintain the tonal range.
techniques
- ·cross-hatching
- ·dry brush
- ·wash
- ·layering
- ·value study
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Creating too much contrast too quickly.
- →Losing the overall tonal balance.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of the light.
materials
surface · etching paper
required
- ·etching paper
- ·sepia ink
- ·fine-tipped brushes
- ·water
- ·palette
- ·soft cloth
- ·drawing board
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·ruler
- ·magnifying glass
Use high-quality etching paper for best results. Experiment with different brushes to achieve various line weights and textures.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
