plate no. 6039
George Nevill, 3rd Baron Bergavenny
Hans Holbein the Younger, 1533
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in accurate proportion, shading techniques using chalk or charcoal, and capturing subtle facial expressions. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fur and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape of the head and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the main planes of the face with light shading.
- step 03
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with more precise lines and shading.
- step 04
Add details to the clothing and hat, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 05
Build up the darker values in the shadows to create depth.
- step 06
Refine the highlights to create form and dimension.
- step 07
Add subtle color washes to the skin tones.
- step 08
Finalize the details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · black chalk · red chalk · white chalk
secondary · brown ink
Mix red and white chalk to create skin tones. Use black chalk for shadows and outlines. Brown ink can be diluted for subtle washes.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·value gradation
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Uneven shading
- →Lack of contrast
materials
surface · toned paper
required
- ·White chalk
- ·Black chalk
- ·Red chalk
- ·Sketch paper
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump
optional
- ·Brown ink
- ·Fine liner pen
- ·Fixative spray
Use a slightly textured paper to help the chalk adhere. A toned paper will also help establish mid-tones.
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