plate no. 5599
Fanny Eaton
Simeon Solomon, 1860
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in portraiture, shading, and capturing subtle variations in tone. It also provides practice in rendering hair texture and facial features.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the main guidelines for the facial features (eyes, nose, mouth).
- step 03
Begin shading the darker areas of the hair, focusing on the overall shape and volume.
- step 04
Add mid-tones to the face, paying attention to the planes and contours.
- step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Continue building up the shading in the hair, adding texture and individual strands.
- step 07
Blend and soften the transitions between values to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 08
Add the final details and highlights to complete the drawing.
color palette
primary · graphite · charcoal
secondary · none
Varying pressure and blending techniques will create the different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the initial freshness.
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions early on.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
materials
surface · Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Pencil sharpener
optional
- ·Charcoal pencils
- ·Ruler
- ·Fixative spray
Use a variety of pencils to achieve different values and textures. A smooth paper will allow for easier blending.
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