plate no. 0173
Karl von Rothkirch-Panthen, Bohemian-Austrian politician
Josef Kriehuber, 1828
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering form with graphite and understanding value relationships to create depth. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and depicting textures in clothing.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the darkest values in the hair, eyes, and uniform.
- step 03
Begin layering graphite to build up mid-tones in the face and clothing.
- step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle value changes in the skin to create a realistic appearance.
- step 05
Render the details of the uniform, including the buttons and epaulettes.
- step 06
Refine the hair, adding individual strands and highlights.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend values to create a smooth transition between light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.
color palette
primary · graphite · white
secondary ·
Varying pressure and graphite hardness will create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·value shading
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Creating muddy values by blending too much.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the skin.
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Drawing paper
- ·Blending stump
- ·Pencil sharpener
optional
- ·Tortillon
- ·Ruler
- ·Fixative spray
Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. A kneaded eraser is helpful for lifting graphite and creating highlights.
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