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home·artworks·Man in a Hat Gazing Upward
Man in a Hat Gazing Upward by Martin Schongauer

plate no. 2592

Man in a Hat Gazing Upward

Martin Schongauer, 1490

oilNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitmanhatclothingfurface
some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in cross-hatching, line weight variation, and understanding of form through tonal values. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

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

  2. step 02

    Refine the sketch, paying attention to the angles and curves of the face, hat, and clothing.

  3. step 03

    Start adding the darkest areas using cross-hatching, such as the shadows under the hat and around the eyes.

  4. step 04

    Gradually build up the mid-tones by adding more layers of hatching, varying the spacing and direction of the lines.

  5. step 05

    Use thinner, lighter lines to indicate highlights and areas of subtle value change.

  6. step 06

    Focus on the details of the face, such as the wrinkles and texture of the skin, using a variety of line weights.

  7. step 07

    Add the details of the hat and fur collar, paying attention to the direction and texture of the lines.

  8. step 08

    Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Varying the density of hatching creates different shades of gray.

techniques

  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·line weight variation
  • ·contour drawing
  • ·rendering form with value

common pitfalls

  • →Using lines that are too uniform in weight and spacing.
  • →Failing to establish a clear light source.
  • →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the lines.
  • →Not paying enough attention to the proportions and anatomy of the face.

materials

surface · Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)

required

  • ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
  • ·Eraser
  • ·Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
  • ·Pencil sharpener
  • ·Ruler

optional

  • ·Kneaded eraser
  • ·Blending stump
  • ·Tortillon

Use a variety of pencils to achieve different values and line weights. Experiment with different hatching techniques to find what works best for you.

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