plate no. 3265
Franzosische Kunstausstellung zu Krefeld
Theophile Steinlen, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in tonal shading, capturing likeness, and creating depth through layering of pencil strokes. It also provides practice in rendering organic forms like flowers and hair.
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 overall composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, flower, and background.
- step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the face, hair, and flower, paying attention to proportions.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to the hair, clothing, and background, using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use subtle shading to create form.
- step 05
Render the flower, paying attention to the delicate petals and leaves. Use a variety of pencil strokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the background, adding depth and dimension with varying degrees of shading.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figure and flower.
- step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · graphite gray · ivory black
secondary · white (paper)
Vary pressure and layering to achieve different shades of gray. Use blending stumps or tortillions to soften transitions.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·tonal shading
- ·blending
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch
- →Failing to establish a full range of values
- →Inaccurate proportions of the face or flower
- →Uneven shading or blending
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·drawing paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stumps
- ·pencil sharpener
- ·ruler
optional
- ·tortillions
- ·sandpaper block
- ·fixative spray
Use a smooth drawing paper for best results. Experiment with different grades of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values.
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