plate no. 1827

Ignorance and Want

oilRomanticismillustrationfigureschildrenghostbuildingtreesnight

suitable for beginners

Recreating this image will help students practice rendering form with hatching and cross-hatching, as well as creating a sense of depth through varying line weight and density.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the image with dense hatching, focusing on the shadows and areas of greatest contrast.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones by adding layers of hatching, varying the spacing and direction of the lines.
step 04
Use lighter, more delicate hatching to define the highlights and create a sense of form.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the figures' faces and clothing, using fine lines to capture their expressions and textures.
step 06
Add cross-hatching to deepen the shadows and create a greater sense of depth.
step 07
Soften edges and blend areas of hatching with a blending stump or tortillon, if desired.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches to complete the image.