plate no. 4956
Mary
Chicote CFC, 1984
some experience helpful
This drawing helps students develop skills in rendering form with charcoal, focusing on subtle value changes to create a sense of depth and volume. Students will also learn to observe and accurately depict the nuances of light and shadow on a complex subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape and proportions of the head and drapery using a hard charcoal pencil.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of shadow with soft charcoal, focusing on the background and deep folds.
- step 03
Begin to build up mid-tones using a blending stump or paper towel to create smooth transitions.
- step 04
Carefully observe the light source and render the highlights using a kneaded eraser to lift charcoal from the paper.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle curves and planes.
- step 06
Add texture to the drapery by varying the pressure and direction of your charcoal strokes.
- step 07
Continuously compare the values in your drawing to the reference image, making adjustments as needed.
- step 08
Finalize the drawing by adding the darkest darks and lightest lights, ensuring a full range of values.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · black
secondary · white
Varying pressure and blending techniques are key to achieving different shades of gray. Use the eraser to lift charcoal and create highlights.
techniques
- ·charcoal blending
- ·value shading
- ·highlight lifting
- ·cross-hatching
- ·rendering form
common pitfalls
- →Applying too much charcoal too early, making it difficult to create subtle value changes.
- →Failing to observe the light source accurately, resulting in flat or unrealistic shading.
- →Over-blending, which can flatten the drawing and lose detail.
- →Not using a kneaded eraser to create highlights, relying solely on adding charcoal.
materials
surface · Charcoal paper
required
- ·Charcoal pencils (hard, medium, soft)
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump or paper towel
- ·Charcoal paper
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Ruler
optional
- ·Vine charcoal
- ·White charcoal pencil
- ·Sandpaper block
Use a paper with a slightly textured surface to allow the charcoal to grip. Fixative spray is essential to prevent smudging.
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