plate no. 5989

Little Joe

Will Barnet, 1935

lithography, paperSocial Realismportraitfigureportraitchairclothingchildseated

some experience helpful

Recreating this lithograph will help students develop skills in value shading, cross-hatching, and capturing the likeness of a subject. It also provides practice in creating texture and depth using a limited palette.

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 to establish the basic proportions and composition of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the image, focusing on the clothing and chair details.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
step 04
Pay close attention to the direction of the hatching to convey form and texture.
step 05
Use a kneaded eraser to lift highlights and refine the shapes.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
step 07
Add details to the background to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to achieve a cohesive and expressive image.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Varying pressure and layering of black pencil or charcoal will create different shades of gray.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·value shading
·blending
·erasing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the original.
→Failing to establish a full range of values, resulting in a flat image.
→Ignoring the direction of the hatching, which can flatten the form.
→Not using the eraser to create highlights and refine shapes.

materials

surface · Smooth drawing paper

required

·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
·Charcoal pencils
·Eraser
·Kneaded eraser
·Drawing paper
·Blending stump
·Ruler

optional

·Sandpaper block
·Fixative spray

Experiment with different grades of pencils and charcoal to achieve a range of values. Use a blending stump to smooth out transitions and create subtle gradations.

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