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home·artworks·In the artist studio (Self-portrait)
In the artist studio (Self-portrait) by Clément-Auguste Andrieux

plate no. 4435

In the artist studio (Self-portrait)

Clément-Auguste Andrieux, 1860

lithographyRealismself-portraitfigurestudiochairbookseaselself-portrait
some experience helpful

Recreating this lithograph will help students develop skills in tonal shading, cross-hatching, and creating depth through value. It also provides practice in rendering complex forms like figures and furniture.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of major elements.

  2. step 02

    Establish the darkest areas of the image with a soft pencil or charcoal.

  3. step 03

    Gradually build up the mid-tones using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

  4. step 04

    Pay close attention to the direction of the light source and how it affects the shadows.

  5. step 05

    Refine the details of the figure, chair, and studio objects.

  6. step 06

    Use a kneaded eraser to lift out highlights and create subtle variations in tone.

  7. step 07

    Continuously compare your work to the reference image to ensure accuracy.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black

secondary · raw umber

Achieve variations in tone by diluting the sepia or ivory black with water or blending with raw umber for warmer shadows.

techniques

  • ·hatching
  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·tonal shading
  • ·value study
  • ·rendering form

common pitfalls

  • →overworking the drawing
  • →creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions
  • →ignoring the light source
  • →getting lost in details before establishing the overall values

materials

surface · smooth drawing paper

required

  • ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
  • ·drawing paper
  • ·kneaded eraser
  • ·pencil sharpener
  • ·ruler
  • ·tortillon

optional

  • ·charcoal pencils
  • ·sepia ink
  • ·fine liner pens

Use a smooth paper to allow for easy blending and shading. Experiment with different grades of pencils to achieve a full range of values.

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