plate no. 9654

Heads of Sts Thomas and James the Greater

chalk, charcoal, paperHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresportraitsreligiousmenbeards

some experience helpful

This drawing is great for learning to render form using chiaroscuro with a limited palette. Students will develop skills in cross-hatching and blending to create subtle gradations of tone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the two heads.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin layering charcoal or chalk to build up the darker tones, focusing on the hair and beard.
step 04
Use blending tools (tortillon, paper towel) to soften the transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the facial features, paying attention to the subtle curves and planes.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figures to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add cross-hatching to build up the mid-tones and create texture.
step 08
Finish by adding highlights to the brightest areas to create contrast.